SOUTHINGTON - A wage freeze agreement has been approved by at least two of the three unions that represent Town Hall employees.

Larry Dorman a spokesman for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) said Monday that a one-year extension of the existing contract includes a wage freeze and a guarantee that no lay-offs will occur in the next year.

The Town Council is expected to ratify the new contracts tonight after their public hearing at 7 p.m. at DePaolo Middle School.

Members of the United Public Service Employees Union (UPSEU) who are department supervisors were scheduled to vote today on their contract. Information on the vote results for that 13-member union is not yet available.

Town Council Chairman John N. Barry said negotiations have gone very well. "We're grateful to the Town Hall unions," he said Sunday. "I appreciate that the Town Hall workers immediately wanted to come to the table. The council will look positively at their discussions," he said.

The wage freeze for about 70 employees is a substantial savings for the fiscal year that begins in July according to Board of Finance Chairman John P. Moise.

"The workers sacrificed to protect public services in Southington. It is painful. There is no general wage increase," said Dorman.