Press Release

Release: County, Teamsters Reach Agreement For Contract With Corrections Officers

New Contract Provides Corrections Officers With Off-Schedule Bonus & Modest Raises Through 2017

FONDA - On Tuesday, County Executive Matthew L. Ossenfort announced that the county has reached a preliminary agreement with the Montgomery County Sheriff's Corrections bargaining unit, International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 294. The agreement, which has yet to be ratified by the County Legislature, would extend through 2017. The previous contract for the Corrections' Officers lapsed at the end of 2012.

"This agreement has been a long time coming," Ossenfort said. "I am pleased for both sides that we have reached this agreement and urge the legislature to ratify this contract."

After lengthy negotiations, this agreement between the county and the Teamsters Local 294 was reached on March 8. The County Legislature will consider the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) this month and then the agreement would require the signature of the County Executive.

Once the agreement is ratified, eligible employees will receive an off-schedule bonus, based on the date of hire. This amount will be between $1,250 for the most senior employees to $250 for the newest employees. Employees who are on the payroll, as of the date of ratification of this new agreement will receive a three percent raise, retroactive back to 2015. Employees will receive a two percent increase in both 2016 and in 2017.

The agreement also increases the employee's health insurance contribution. Current employees will increase to 7.5%, as of January 1, 2017. Individuals hired after the ratification date will increase from 5-15%, similar to all other bargaining units. Additionally, employees who were previously only required to have drug and alcohol testing on an annual basis will now be subject to random testing.

Other provisions in the contract, such as requiring mandatory direct deposit for employees, were aimed at bringing this unit in line with other bargaining units in the county, when it comes to administrative matters. The implementation of such measures creates consistency throughout the workforce and is a cost savings to the county, due to a streamlining of processes.