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A job well done deserves a reward.
The Houghton City Council unanimously approved pay increases for City Manager Eric Waara and for many non-union employees at their regular meeting Wednesday.
Contract negotiations are continuing with the city’s union representatives.
Most of the pay increases for the non-union employees working in the city office, public works, police, and parks and recreation will be 4.5 percent, retroactive back to July 1st.
The wage for a Houghton Bus Driver saw the biggest increase at 11 percent to try and bring their pay in line with other transit systems in the state.
The council also approved an immediate 4.5 percent pay increase for Waara with another bump in pay expected to come in November when he receives his new contract.
Waara said the city is discussing a 4.5 percent increase in pay with the unions for one year, with a wage and benefit opener every year.
Waara said the city wants to hire and retain the best people and he believes they are on the right track because their value has been on display over the last six weeks.
