AFSCME members have overwhelmingly ratified new two-year contracts with Washington County after majority votes by the exempt professional and non-exempt clerical/technical units. The contracts, retroactive to January 10, 2010, cover 650 members of Local 517. The exempt unit will get step increases in 2010, and the non-exempt unit will divide the value of their steps equally among all their members. The employer’s contribution to health insurance premiums will remain the same in 2010. With good news that the total cost of premiums declined 3 percent this year, there will be a health insurance re-opener in 2011.