West Chester trustees and FOP agree on new three-year contract

Sue Kiesewetter
·2 min read

WEST CHESTER TWP. – Police officers will receive a 10.5% hike in their pay during the next three years under terms of a new agreement between West Chester trustees and the Fraternal Order of Police.

The three-year agreement is retroactive to Oct. 1 and runs through Sept. 30, 2025. It covers 78 patrol officers, sergeants and lieutenants, according to Barbara Wilson, township spokeswoman.

“We were able to come to an equitable agreement,’’ said Lisa Brown, assistant township administrator.

“We feel good with the agreement. We feel it is really beneficial to both sides of the table.”

Negotiations began last September and there were several sessions before both sides reached an impasse. After one mediation session, both sides were able to come to an agreement.

“The teams worked to reach final tentative agreements that were beneficial to both sides,’’ Brown said in a memo.

“The agreements presented to the trustees are equitable and fair, providing a reasonable benefit to both the township and the union.”

Police will receive a 4% increase this year, a 3.5% increase next year and a 3% increase in 2024. In addition, officers will receive a $1,000 base wage adjustment for patrol officers in the third year of the contract.

It will cost the township $1.8 million over the three-year period, Wilson said. That includes wages of $1.5 million and benefits totaling $325,342.

Other highlights of the agreement include:

  • An increase in retention pay from $75 to $100 per year for each year worked after five years.

  • A plainclothes allowance from $800 to $1,000, eliminating the receipt requirement. It had been almost 15 years since the last increase.

  • Special duty pay will funnel through payroll with those requesting officers being invoiced for their off-duty time.

  • Elimination of the platinum – top tier and most expensive – of three health insurance options.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: West Chester trustees and FOP agree on new three-year contract