Elkhart City approves AFSCME pact without pay increases, adds paid breaks and bereavement leave

The Elkhart City Airport Board voted to approve a new master contract with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) that holds employee pay at 2025 rates and includes limited non‑pay changes, city staff said.

"This contract does not include any direct, pay increases for AFSCME employees," said Megan Erwin, chief of staff for the City of Elkhart, citing revenue pressures after passage of Senate Enrolled Act 1 and its anticipated impact on municipal revenues. Erwin said negotiations delivered non‑monetary adjustments the union requested: two 15‑minute paid breaks that a work group can combine into a paid lunch period if agreed with supervisors, and one additional bereavement day to cover extended family members (aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews). Erwin said the bereavement change will be aligned across city civil service contracts.

Board members asked clarifying operational questions about how the paid‑break option would interact with supervisors’ control of work schedules and whether skipping breaks would allow employees to leave early; staff said the eight‑hour workday remains unchanged and supervisors will schedule breaks to preserve operations.

The board approved the contract by voice vote. Staff said the contract reflects a constrained revenue environment but preserves certain work‑life changes for AFSCME employees.