BUTLER TWP — Butler County Community College employees with three separate unions have new five-year contracts.

The contracts cover five campus police officers; 21 shipping, receiving, maintenance and custodial employees, and 54 support staff.

The support staff are represented by the Butler County Community College Education Support Professionals and the Pennsylvania State Education Association. The other two bargaining units are independent.

All contracts were approved by the board of trustees Wednesday.

"All parties were very professional throughout the negotiation process. These agreements are the result of effectively working together to achieve a common goal and mutual agreement that is fair for employees and the college," Linda Dodd, director of human resources, said.

Dodd said several wage adjustments were necessary to bring them to market. For instance, she said, the starting salary for secretaries will increase from $11.96 per hour to $13.17 per hour.

Members of the support staff and the Butler Community College Maintenance, Shipping and Receiving Services and Custodial Employees also will get a signing bonus with this contract.

The three contracts are effective July 1 and run through June 30, 2013.

"The early settlement speaks volumes," said Nick Neupauer, college president.

Renee Piovesan, representative for the support staff, said it took a lot of work to get the contract, but everyone worked professionally.

"We finally settled a great contract," she said.