Non-Union Employees in Waukesha to Start Contributing Toward Pension

Non-union employees will have to start contributing money toward the Wisconsin Retirement System beginning March 26, states a memo from Director of Human Resources Donna Whalen to the Common Council.

The majority of non-represented employees will have to contribute 5.8 percent toward their pension. Elected officials and executives will need to contribute 6.65 percent toward their pension.

Changes to the city’s health care plan apply only to those enrolled in the Wisconsin Public Employers’ Group Health Insurance Plan. The city is not impacted by the portion of the budget repair law that requires employees to contribute 12 percent toward their health care premiums, the memo states. City employees already do contribute a portion of their wages toward health care premiums.

The city will have to stick with the current union contracts that expire Dec. 31, 2012.

“Therefore, no changes will occur in these unites during that period of time as the city is legally required to honor these agreements,” Whalen said in the memo. “Police and fire bargaining units are not affected by the new legislation so they will have the right to bargain collectively for subsequent labor agreements.”

The memo states the city employees will only be able to bargain for wages beginning in 2013, which will not exceed the Consumer Price Index. The other terms of employment will be covered by the city’s human resources policies beginning in 2013.

“Whether those policies will need to be adjusted will be considered in 2012,” Whalen states.

Waukesha could be facing a $1.5 million deficit as it begins budget preparations for 2012. A hiring freeze already has been extended from civilian employees to police and fire personnel.

The city also needs to have a civil service system or grievance procedure in place by July 1, 2011, to address employment decisions, including termination, discipline and workplace safety, the memo states.