By Rich Pollack

    Civilian employees in Highland Beach, in a 9-5 vote, agreed to form a union and be represented by the Florida State Lodge Fraternal Order of Police.
    During an election Feb. 2 in which 18 civilian town employees were eligible to vote, four workers chose not to cast their ballots, according to the Florida Public Employees Relations Commission, which oversees the process.
    Fraternal Order of Police state representative Joe Puleo said the union is now able to begin contract negotiations with the town on behalf of all the eligible civilian employees.
    “Everyone in the bargaining unit will get the benefits of the contract, but no one is obligated to join the union,” Puleo said.
    Among the employees included in the collective bargaining unit are some in the public works, finance and building departments as well as some working in the public library, the town clerk’s office and at the water treatment facility.
    The Tallahassee-based Florida State Lodge Fraternal Order of Police currently represents the town’s police officers, but Puleo said the two bargaining units would negotiate separate contracts.
    Town civilian employees initiated steps to form a union last summer during budget discussions in which town commissioners agreed to make changes to health insurance coverage and other benefits.
    Puleo said he expects contract negotiations with the town to begin shortly.

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