The International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers Local 17 has ratified an agreement with the city, accepting a lower cost-of-living wage increase next year (0.6 percent, compared to the usual 2-percent minimum) and giving up the usual two-percent minimum COLAs in favor of pay increases that are indexed to inflation.

In exchange, the city agreed to keep union members’ health care benefits the same through 2013, to give union members access to arbitration if they don’t like the outcome of complaints about work going to outside contractors, and to continue to look to managerial positions for savings.

“Local
 17 
members 
work 
for 
the 
city 
because they 
care 
about
 the 
safety 
and
 sustainability 
of 
the 
community. 

With 
the 
acceptance
 of 
the 
Agreement, 
union
 members
 are 
helping 
to 
preserve 
vital 
services,”
 IFPTE 17 representative Adrienne Thompson said in a statement.

The move will save $2.3 million in the general fund next year and $3.4 million for non-general fund expenses.