Unalaska, AK – After a year of deadlock, some union employees have reached an agreement with the city government on a new contract.

After an executive session at last night's meeting, the Unalaska City Council voted unanimously to sign an agreement with the union representation of the city's Parks, Culture & Recreation Department. The new contract would offer employees a $2,500 signing bonus, but would require them to pay $100 a month
for health insurance.

PCR employees voted at a meeting Monday night to approve the deal, which divides the local membership of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 302. 302 members in Unalaska have been involved in an extended standoff with the city administration over what they see as eroding benefits and wages and what the city sees as runaway operating costs. While the PCR's unionized employees decided to take the city's most recent offer, those in other city departments, like administration and Public Works, did
not.

PCR employees contacted today declined to comment on the agreement. Carl Gamble, an Anchorage-based organizer with Local 302 who has been in Unalaska negotiating on behalf of the Unalaska employees, also wouldn't comment, citing the other city workers' ongoing negotiations.

In other business last night, the council decided to postpone discussion of reducing property taxes until the May 27 meeting. Council member Dick Peck proposed reducing the tax rate by one mil, or about 8 percent, but noted that that could mean cutting some of the city's subsidies for things like solid waste disposal for residents. The council also voted 4-1 to accept a proposed capital and major maintenance plan, which lays out the city's major infrastructure priorities for the next five years, including adding a third generator to the powerhouse.