UWUA Local 605, representing 27 public service workers employed by the City of North Canton, OH, ratified a new three-year agreement that delivers gains in wages, benefits, and working conditions — while also marking a leadership transition for the local.
Members work in the city’s water distribution, storm and sanitary, streets, parks, and land and buildings departments and are classified across Service Worker levels 1 through 5.
Negotiations began in mid-May and concluded in just two sessions, with the agreement ratified ahead of the previous contract’s May 31 expiration. Leading the talks were President Dan Richards, Vice President Dylan Harshaw, and Secretary-Treasurer Brian Kehner, with support from UWUA Senior National Representative Frank Meznarich.
Meeting key member priorities, the new contract includes wage increases of 2.5%, 3%, and 3% over three years. It also ensures that sick leave now counts toward the 40-hour workweek — bringing it in line with other forms of paid time off and directly impacting overtime eligibility.
Other gains include the restoration of longevity pay — granting eligible workers $75 per year of service each May 1, up to $2,400 annually — as well as an increase in comp time carryover from 40 to 80 hours. The time to reach top pay was also reduced, from 19 years to 15. “This reduction puts us in a good position to make even further progress down the road,” said Richards, who has 26 years with the city.
Following ratification, Richards stepped down after 15 years as president. He is succeeded by Matt Gerber, with Harshaw and Kehner continuing in their roles.