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PBA, City Reach 4-Year, 20-Percent Pact; 4% Annual Hikes, Key Benefit Gains
Lynch: Finally Got Right Deal "I've never been shy to stand on the steps of City Hall and say I didn't agree with something when I thought something was wrong," said Mr. Lynch said during a joint press conference Aug. 21 at City Hall that was also attended by Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly. "Well I am unequally not afraid to stand inside City Hall and say this is right. This is right. Our members will be very proud of this contract and I believe they will ratify it overwhelmingly." Besides the compounded wage increases, the deal provides significant longevity differential gains. If ratified, Police Officers would receive a $313 longevity increase retroactive to July 31, 2008, have those differentials boosted by the same amount as all future pay raises, starting with the Aug. 1, 2008 hike, and get a separate $1,230 longevity increase on the final day of the contract, July 31, 2010. "What's significant here is we have solved problems for every police officer at every level," Mr. Lynch said. The Mayor noted that total compensation for cops at maximum salary would reach $91,823 — without counting overtime earnings. Mr. Lynch negotiated an escalator clause in the contract that links health and welfare benefits as well as longevity pay to future wage increases, which ensures those benefits automatically rise in the same proportion as salary. "That link will serve to magnify each future increase in an officer's earnings while insuring the long-term stability of our health and welfare funds for both active and retired officers," Mr. Lynch said in a statement. He was able to rescind an unpopular aspect of the arbitration award that decided the union's previous contract just three months ago. Members will no longer have to give up a vacation day to re-qualify on the NYPD gun range each year, and those who already did so will have the day restored. Rookies Add 3 Days Off New cops, who currently receive just 10 vacation days during their first five years of service because of the May award, would receive 13 starting with their third year on the job if the pact is ratified. Another incentive in the deal allows Police Officers to mutually exchange tours and better utilize existing sick leave for members. Mr. Lynch stressed that while the annual raises are slightly less than the 4.5- and 5-percent hikes granted in arbitration, this deal contains no givebacks. "There is a recruitment and retirement problem in the city," he said outside the press conference. "We are losing our veteran officers. It used to be 20 [years] and out and maybe now it could be different." The PBA as part of the deal agreed to drop six lawsuits against the city, but details of those lawsuits were not available as of press time, said spokesman Al O'Leary. "The contract provides stability to a key labor force in this city," said Mayor Bloomberg during the press conference. "We have them to thank as much as anyone for the quality of life in this city." Won't Hire More Cops After ratification, which is expected to occur next month, starting salary would rise to $40,361, up from $35,881. By Aug. 1, 2009, starting salary would be $41,975. Mr. Kelly said the expected impact on recruitment would not result in an increase in the headcount of the department, because only 36,838 officers were budgeted for the next two fiscal years. "Obviously, we would like to go up, but we have to wait," Mr. Kelly said. The Mayor said the city followed the parameters set with other uniformed unions in negotiating this deal. "The contract was funded by resources designated in the city's financial plan, as well as additional funds generated by productivity measures agreed to by the PBA," the Mayor said. These include that effective Feb. 20, 2010, that Police Officers assigned to the Detective track as "White Shield Detectives" would work the same length tour and number of appearances as currently worked by Detectives in the units they are assigned. The NYPD, assuming the deal is ratified, would establish a pilot program providing eligible employees who requested sick leave for an injury or illness, freedom from home visitation and confinement regulations, outside the hours of the employee's regularly scheduled tour of duty, provided sick level utilization remains at acceptable levels. The PBA contract matches the percentage increases of the final 50 months of the last Sergeants Benevolent Association's contract reached 13 months ago that runs through 2011. Sergeants received an added $1,060 longevity increase after 5 years and $2,060 after 15 years. Captains Endowment Association President Roy T. Richter echoed Mr. Lynch in calling called the PBA deal "historic. They should be proud of themselves; it sounds like a good deal." Prospective PBA Pay Chart Under the terms of the tentative pact between the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association, this is how maximum pay would rise, assuming the deal is ratified by union members: Current Maximum .......... $65,382 If the deal is approved, this would be the pay schedule for officers hired on or after Jan. 1, 2006 once the final increase takes effect next Aug. 1: Starting rate .......... $41,975 |
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