During July, the Pleasant Prairie Village Board approved a 2009-2010 Labor Agreement between the Village of Pleasant Prairie and the Village Public Safety Dispatchers Union. Village and Union representatives came to an agreement regarding the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement for dispatchers earlier in July. "With a keen understanding of the economic conditions faced by both private and public sector employees, we've negotiated what we believe is a very lean agreement that still acknowledges the very important services that Pleasant Prairie dispatchers provide," explained Carol Willke, Director of Human Resources for the Village.

Under the agreement, there will be no increase in health insurance costs or retirement costs. Also under the agreement, though the dispatchers would receive a pay increase of 3% for 2009, wages for 2010 would be frozen, and no increase would be given. During 2009 and 2010, hourly rates for public safety dispatchers in Pleasant Prairie will range from $15.76 to $18.51 depending upon the length of service. For their pay, dispatchers handle highly sensitive situations and information at a very efficient and detailed level. They take emergency calls, dispatch the appropriate public safety personnel, and relay critical information between callers and emergency personnel. Pleasant Prairie dispatchers also assist the Police and Fire & Rescue Departments with file maintenance and after-hours calls.

Under the agreement, for employees hired after January 1, 2010, the Village will no longer pay for retiree health insurance premiums. Instead, the employees will set aside money for their future health needs. Those employees will also contribute accrued vacation hours and any sick hours in excess of a set number of hours towards their own retirement health savings.

A 2010 wage freeze, and similarly structured Retirement Health Savings Plan for new hires, has also been implemented with non-represented and management employees, while the Pleasant Prairie Professional Firefighter's Association is working under a similar agreement approved by the Board in July of 2009. "This approach has been structured as a responsible way to handle the financial challenges we're currently faced with," added Willke. "It acknowledges our current financial situation while helping our employees provide for their own future."