Local 340 Wins Solid Contract For Law Enforcement Members

Maine Workers to Receive Wage Increases, Retirement

September 23, 2004

Earlier this month, corrections officers, deputies and dispatchers in Somerset County, Maine, ratified a new three-year contract that increases wages and improves their retirement security. The workers are represented by Local 340 in Portland, Maine.

The 52 workers will receive 4-percent pay raises for each of the next three years, retroactive to January 2004. By the contract’s final year, starting pay for dispatchers and corrections officers will earn $1.36 more per hour, and new deputies will earn an additional $1.51 per hour. The contract also offers workers greater overtime opportunities.

The retirement benefit was also improved. “Before, workers had a deferred compensation plan,” said Kenneth Eaton, recording secretary and business agent for Local 340. “Now they can participate in a defined benefit plan, which includes ancillary benefits, such as surviving spouse and disability benefits.

“This is also a highly portable plan, and can travel with a worker anywhere else in the state,” Eaton said, citing the frequency with which law enforcement personnel can move from one police force to another.

Eaton said the contract also allows workers to continue to participate in the Teamster health insurance plan.

“In light of what’s going on with the difficult wages and benefits market, we think it’s a progressive contract,” said Eaton. “We hope that it will enable the county to attract and retain highly qualified employees. We encouraged our members to ratify the contract, and we received an overwhelming show of support from them.”