Effective back to Jan. 1, the new labor agreement gives them raises of 5 percent the first year and 3 percent each in the second and third year, said William Boyle, county personnel director.

This year, caseworkers will start at $24,000 or $25,031, depending on their classification. A clerk will start at $19,034 and a fiscal assistant will start at $20,061.

Boyle said contract negotiations began in August and were concluded by Jan. 1, but the paperwork was not completed until recently.

Both sides support the new contract, said Beverly A. Burrows, director of Children and Youth Services. "In light of the county's financial problems, there were compromises on raises on both sides," she said.