Less than two weeks before labor contracts covering hundreds of Butler County employees expire, county commissioners Wednesday approved a new system of medical benefits for nonunion employees that, for the first time, will require them to contribute toward their medical plan.

Commissioners also approved an across-the-board 2 percent salary increase that will virtually offset the burden.

The commissioners wouldn't say they are working for the same agreement with union workers, but county Solicitor Julie Graham said the county "likes to treat everyone the same."

The raise and the cost-sharing will take effect Jan. 1 and cover about 150 nonunion workers. The contribution to medical benefits calls for employees to pay 1.5 percent of their salary toward health care, plus a $250 annual deductible for an individual or $500 for a family. Co-pays for prescription medications will range from $10 to $80. The healthcare provider will continue to be Highmark.

"The big issue has been health care,'' said Ms. Graham, noting that the county paid more than $8 million in 2007 for the benefit.

The labor contracts that expire Nov. 30 affect about 500 employees represented by the Service Employees International Union at the county government center (about 300 people) and the Pennsylvania Social Service Union members at Sunnyview Nursing Home (about 200 people.)

Three contracts affecting about a dozen detectives, assistant district attorneys and assistant public defenders will expire at the end of December. All the contracts were four-year agreements and included raises of 2.5 percent for 2008.

A contract that covers about 40 prison guards with the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees will expire in December 2010.

Ms. Graham said the county is seeking two-year agreements from the unions with contracts ending this year so that all the contracts will be on the same schedule, ending in 2010.

Any employee who agrees not to take the county's medical benefits would receive a monthly stipend of $200 for full-timers and $100 for part-timers who qualify for medical coverage.