Buffalo's control board today approved a contract with school crossing guards, a pact that will provide retroactive raises in return for workers paying more of their health insurance premiums.

The three-year agreement is the first city contract ratified by a union to be approved by the control board since the panel lifted a wage freeze last year.

Mayor Byron W. Brown pushed for approval today, insisting the city can afford the $1 million in added costs over three years.

But three of the control board's nine members voted against the contract. While they agree the city and its school district face improving finances in the short-term, they said they're alarmed by escalating long-term costs the entities face for retiree benefits.

Chairman Paul Kolkmeyer said he's concerned that approving a contract which continues to provide heavily subsidized health insurance benefits for crossing guards, even after they retire, could set a precedent in negotiations with other unions.

Buffalo's 156 crossing guards will receive a 23 percent raise, a move that will put their salaries in compliance with Buffalo's living wage law. They currently make $8.25 an hour, and the new contract would raise their pay to $10 an hour retroactive to last July. Their salaries would increase to $10.15 by mid-2009.

For complete details, see Tuesday's Buffalo News.