CRANSTON — The city’s unionized laborers agreed Monday to concessions that would save taxpayers an estimated $300,000 over the next two years, mostly through postponing raises, eliminating clothing allowances and increasing employees’ copayments for doctor visits.

The rank-and-file of the 86-member union approved the contract changes in a unanimous show of hands during an afternoon meeting that lasted all of about 15 minutes, said Arthur Jordan, business manager for Local 1322 of the Laborers’ International Union of North America. The agreement, negotiated by Mayor Allan W. Fung, still needs ratification by the City Council.

“Most of them live in Cranston. They understand the economy is in tough shape,” Jordan said.

The bulk of the savings — about $185,000 — would be gained by delaying raises. A 2.9-percent raise that was due July 1 will wait until next July, and a 3-percent raise due next July 1 will wait until 2011.

The revised contract would also save about $44,000 a year by eliminating employee clothing allowances and about $20,000 a year through higher copays, city officials said. The copay for urgent-care visits would rise from $10 to $25, while the one for emergency room visits would rise from $50 to $100, said Robert Strom, the city’s finance director. The copay for general practice and specialist visits would remain $10, he said.

The city would also be allowed to reduce its contributions to a union pension fund and a union legal fund, and laborers would no longer be able seek payment for unused vacation time, officials said.

Jordan said the biggest incentive for members to approve the deal was that with it, there would be no layoffs, and two mechanics who were just laid off would be rehired.

“The guys say injury to one is an injury to all,” he said.

If the City Council approves the deal, it would save about $147,000 during the fiscal year that began July 1, and it would be the second concession package negotiated by Fung to become a reality this year. A recent agreement with firefighters is expected to save $3.1 million over four years.

Fung also negotiated concessions with the police, proposing a contract that would have saved $1.39 million over three years, but the council rejected it, saying it gave up management rights and provided only temporary savings. Like the deal approved with firefighters, it largely relied on saving money by leaving positions vacant.

Council President John E. Lanni Jr. said the difference is that the firefighters have an existing contract and technically did not have to negotiate. The police, he said, were negotiating a new contract.

“It’s apples and oranges,” he said.

Fung applauded the laborers for negotiating and showing a willingness to help the city when they, too, had an existing contract.

“They came to the table,” he said. “The numbers aren’t as big as police and fire because, overall, they have a smaller number of people.”

Fung said he is still negotiating with the fourth union — the Teamsters. The police, meanwhile, have sought binding arbitration.

Lanni said he likes what he sees in the proposed laborer’s accord.

“It looks like they made some major concessions,” he said.

Jordan said that if the agreement is approved, it would be the second straight year that laborers had no pay increase, apart from longevity increases that take effect after 4 years, 7 years, 12 years and 17 years of service.

The council’s Finance Committee is expected to review the proposed deal on July 16. The full council is scheduled to meet on July 27.

redgar@projo.com