Medina ratifies three‑year Teamsters contract that shifts raises into pension pickup

Council voted to ratify a three‑year collective bargaining agreement with Teamsters Local 436 that covers employees in street, sanitation, water, cemetery, building engineering and service departments.

Mayor Shields and staff summarized key points: the union‑approved package shows a 2% raise in 2026 and 0% base raises in 2027–2028, but the city will pick up 2% of employee pension contributions in 2026 and increase that pickup in later years (to 4% in subsequent years), effectively allocating compensation differently than a straight 4% across‑the‑board. Mayor Shields also noted additions for emergency‑vehicle certification pay, an increase in seasonal worker caps (from 20 to 25) and potential adjustments to employee health‑insurance contributions if costs rise.

The union has already ratified the agreement; council approved the ratification within the statutory window. Mayor Shields thanked staff representatives who negotiated the agreement and praised city employees for recent emergency responses related to water‑main breaks and winter operations.

Vote: motion to approve carried; the council completed the ratification within the 30‑day timing window noted by staff.