Township approves union wage agreement

By RICHARD JENKINS

rjenkins@yourdailyglobe.com

Ironwood Township — The Ironwood Township Board of Trustees approved a wage agreement with its union employees Monday, approving a raise in exchange for additional contribution to health care costs.

“The (wage increases) were 70 cents an hour and then they agreed to pay an additional $50 a month for health coverage,” Ironwood Township Supervisor Jay Kangas told the Daily Globe.

Robert Murphy, a staff representative with the township employees’ union, said the union has also ratified the agreement.

The current union contract includes language allowing for wage negotiations in the second year of the two-year contract, which led to Monday’s agreement.

In other action:

—The board heard the township’s contribution to the Gogebic County Council of Veterans Affairs is expected to be 2.2% less than last year.

—Fire Chief Bob Brentar reported the department responded to 34 calls last year, which he described as being about average for the year. He said 16 alarm calls -- most of which were false alarms — eight fires, four downed power lines, three gas leaks, two car accidents and one call for service.

—Brentar also said the township’s volunteer fire department won’t be holding Frost Fest this year due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and the impact it has had on local businesses.