The Homewood Village Board approved a new three-year collective bargaining agreement at the June 23 meeting with Teamsters Union Local No. 700, which represents village clerks. 

According to Terence Acquah, Homewood assistant village manager, the contract includes wage increases, expanded compensatory time and changes to employee benefits. 

The agreement replaces a previous five-year contract that expired April 30. Staff and union representatives reached a tentative agreement after three negotiation sessions, and union members approved the contract before it came before the board for final approval, Acquah said. 

Under the new agreement, the contract term will be reduced from five years to three years and will run retroactively from May 1, 2026, through April 30, 2029, he said. 

Several changes were included in the contract. The annual uniform allowance will increase from $400 to $600, while compensatory time will increase from 80 hours to 120 hours, Acquah said. 

The agreement also includes longevity pay for employees based on years of service. Employees with six to 10 years of service will receive $800, those with 10 to 15 years will receive $1,100, employees with 15 to 19 years will receive $1,500 and employees with more than 19 years of service will receive $2,000, he said. 

According to Acquah, there will also be cost-of-living adjustments and salary scale changes over the next three fiscal years. Employees will receive a 3.5% increase during the first year of the contract, followed by a 4% increase in the second year and a 3% increase in the third year.

Beginning July 1, newly hired employees will no longer be eligible to enroll in the village’s preferred provider organization (PPO) #1 health insurance plan. New employees will instead choose from other health insurance options offered by the village. Current employees already enrolled in PPO #1, as well as those eligible under the contract, will still have access to the plan, Acquah said.