The wage and benefits contract for Whitehall Township’s public works labor force ends Dec. 31, and bargaining negotiations will continue into 2016 - with neither a disruption in services nor a strike by employees.

“Deliberations have been very productive but will move into 2016 before a contract is settled,” Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr. said.

Talks between the township and Teamsters Union, in attempts to arrive at a new settlement, have been ongoing for several months.

“The major issue is the health care dilemma, which will occur in 2018 when the Cadillac Tax is imposed,” Hozza said.

The tax is part of the Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obama Care.

According to Hozza, “The union and township are seeking to minimize the impact this tax will have on township operations.”

The talks are focusing on having the Teamsters employees move to a new plan provider, Central PA Teamsters.

In an unrelated matter, Teamsters are currently building a new office on a vacant tract off Lehigh Street, which had been a bar, a restaurant and a banquet hall before a fire required its demolition.

Occupancy for the Teamsters Union building is expected to take place in late spring or summer of 2016.