WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
After a few months of debate, the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners reluctantly followed through on adopting a 35-hour work week for most county employees.
During their Tuesday meeting, commissioners approved several letters of understanding with various unions representing the employees, whose workload will be decreased from what is currently a 40-hour workweek.
Commissioners adopted the measure in an effort to close an anticipated $150,000 shortfall in the county’s budget by the end of its current fiscal year, which concludes Dec. 31.
County administrator Teresa Doehring said the effective date has not yet been identified. It was originally set for Sept. 8 but Doehring said she is still ironing out details with various unions and court employees.
She noted that those impacted will not realize any issues with their health insurance coverage, nor will they lose service credit toward their retirement. Doehring also said the 35-hour workweek will remain in effect through the end of the year.
Doehring said the measure impacts all union and non-union hourly employees. It does not include personnel from the sheriff’s department, its road or corrections departments. Also exempt are departments or employees funded through grants, thus having no impact on the county’s general fund.
