Niles City Council Monday night ratified four-year contracts with police and firefighters.

Pacts run Oct. 1, 2012, through Sept. 30, 2016, and continue a pay freeze.

Union employees have contributed 5 percent to their health care coverage, which will increase under the new agreements.

City Administrator Ric Huff said the share shouldered by fire personnel increases to 10, 14, 18 and 20 percent over the life of the contract.

Police members pay 12, 16, 18 and 20 percent, the level advocated by Gov. Rick Snyder.

The unions accepted a 50 percent concession in longevity pay, from 2 percent to 1 percent after five years for new hires.

The amount of gross wages paid into pensions increases, from 7 percent to 8 percent.

Police settled their last contract just before the bottom fell out of the economy, while firefighters haven’t had a raise in four years.

Should the economy rebound in a major way, Huff said, the contract can be reopened for wages.

Four contracts remain to be approved.