Champaign County Board members voted to adopt five labor agreements with American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 31 covering multiple county offices for Jan. 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2026.
The contracts were brought to the board as an omnibus package after the unions ratified tentative agreements reached July 8; labor committee members asked the full board to approve resolutions 2025-214 through 2025-218 that enact the contracts.
Why it matters: The agreements affect wages, benefits and leave policies for hundreds of county employees and follow months of bargaining. Board and union leaders said the contracts avoid a work stoppage and include pay raises and new leave provisions the county has not offered previously.
Board discussion and public comment preceded the vote. Jason Elliott Denda, a county facilities custodian who identified himself as an AFSCME member, told the board he had presented in April about wage gaps and said he was pleased with the negotiated outcome: "I'm happy today that I was wrong," he said, referring to earlier skepticism about reaching an agreement. Cece Phillips, speaking on behalf of AFSCME members, thanked the board and negotiators: "By reaching a fair and equitable contract, it sends a strong message that our workers matter," she said.
Labor Committee chair Emily Farney outlined key contract gains during committee remarks: "We have a 3% salary increase across the board in 2025, and then another 3% for the second year," she said, and highlighted reductions in health-care costs, an additional floating holiday and a county-offered 12-week paid parental leave program. Farney said the union ratified the contracts with about 94% support.
The board approved the omnibus motion by voice vote after a brief amendment to add the auditor to the list of covered offices; the board recorded no roll-call tally on the omnibus item in the meeting minutes.
Discussion versus action: The board'level votes formally adopted the contracts. Board members and staff discussed implementation details and next steps for administration to process the new pay rates, benefit changes and the parental leave policy. No separate ordinance or budget appropriation action tied to these resolutions was recorded at the meeting; staff noted administrative steps and potential follow-up to replenish funds for a health care reimbursement account related to benefit changes.
What to expect next: County administrative staff said they will work with payroll and benefits vendors to implement the contract terms and provide details to the board and affected employees. Union and management representatives present urged the board to approve the resolutions quickly so staff could process retroactive adjustments and finalize payroll changes.