Rockland — Rockland city officials have reached a tentative contract agreement with the teamsters union that represents the majority of city employees, giving them a 2.75 percent increase in pay in the first year and 3 percent in the second and third year of the contract, City Manager James Smith reported Oct. 31.

The tentative agreement covers police, public works, transfer station, wastewater treatment, library and city hall clerical employees, about 60 in all.

The employees' union has ratified the agreement. It goes before the City Council at its Nov. 5 meeting.

The pay increases are listed as cost of living adjustments.

In addition, Smith said the way health insurance costs are split between the city and employees will change over the course of the three-year contract. Right now, the city pays 85 percent of the health insurance costs and employees pick up 15 percent. In year one of the contract, it will go to 83.5 percent vs. 16.5 percent. In year two, 81.5 percent to 18.5 percent. In the third year of the contract, employees will pay 20 percent of their health insurance costs and the city will pay 80 percent.

The old contract ended July 1 and the city has agreed to pay the new contract retroactive to that date.

News Editor Daniel Dunkle can be reached at ddunkle@courierpublicationsllc.com. Follow him on twitter at @DanDunkle.