Worcester police patrolmen set for raise under new contract. Here are the details
WORCESTER — Following completion of a collective bargaining agreement with the union representing patrol officers in the city, officers represented by the union are set to receive a wage increase of greater than 12% for the four-year period between fiscal 2022 and 2025.
The agreement was recently ratified by members of the union, according to William Bagley Jr., director of human resources for the city.
According to a salary ordinance amendment Bagley submitted as part of Tuesday's City Council agenda, the agreement between the city and New England Police Benevolent Association Local 911 holds that the paid detail rate will be $60 per hour for all paid details.
Patrol officers have been without a contract since 2021.
A spokesperson for the city said the current detail rate is $52.61.
According to the city, there are currently 361 members of New England Police Benevolent Association Local 911.
The new detail rate would take effect after the funding is appropriated.
Salary increases by year
The amendment states that a 2.5% base salary increase would be effective July 1, 2021; a 2.75% increase would be effective July 1, 2022; a 3% increase would be effective July 1, 2023; and a 1% market wage adjustment would be effective June 30, 2024, followed by a 3% salary increase July 1, 2024.
The agreement also requires new patrolmen hired after July 1 to contribute 1% of their base wage pay to the other postemployment benefits trust fund for retiree health insurance costs.
Bagley said in his report that the union has agreed to work with the city to ensure officers are trained on issues of diversity, equity and inclusion; to review and reform sick leave policies; review the merits of performance evaluations and review the merits of removing the department from the civil service exam.
In 2021, the city's Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee made a preliminary recommendation for the city to opt out of the civil service exam, citing issues with hiring diversity and the length of the process.
The parties have agreed that only current union members hired before July 1 are eligible for $1,300 annual stipends for all union members for wearing body cameras on the job, according to Bagley.
The stipend was the topic of local controversy when it went before the City Council as members of the public felt officers should not receive extra pay for a measure to improve transparency. The patrolmen's union claimed the cameras constituted a change in working conditions.
Police officials are represented by International Brotherhood of Police Officers Local 504. The city is still in negotiations with the officials union.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Worcester police patrol officers union reaches contract agreement
