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City and police union reach an agreement on new labor contract

By Howard B. Owens

After years and years of wrangling -- and police officers working without a contract since 2005 -- the Police Benevolent Association and the City of Batavia finally have a labor agreement both sides can accept.

The PBA approved the contract Feb. 15 and the city council approved it Monday night.

Under the agreement, union members will receive retroactive pay increases from 2007 on, except for the final year of the contract, in the amount of 2.25 percent annually.

The retroactive pay will cost the city $784,000, which will be paid for with money in the city's fund balance and current fund surpluses.

This April, the city council will be asked to approve a transfer of $268,000 from the constituency fund to the police budget to cover the current year's increase in personnel costs.

"One of our goals was to solve this impass this year and here we are in February and we already have a resolution," said Council President Tim Buckley. "I credit Jason Molino and the PBA for reaching a resolution."

The PBA has been without a contract since 2005. The union won an arbitration award in 2009.

The contract impasse went to arbitration again in July 2011. The following September, the city and PBA leadership thought they had a contract agreement, but the union membership rejected the plan.

The arbitrator was set to issue PBA members 2 percent annual pay raises for 2007/08 and 2008/09, but before the award was final, the city and PBA settled on a new contract offer.

The ratified contract supersedes previous arbitration agreements.

Other provisions include a $1,000 per-member bonus in lieu of a 2012/13 pay increase, an increase in employee contribution to health insurance from 10 percent to 30 percent and increased co-pays on prescription drugs.

Gary Spencer

I would assume that City Council President Tim Buckley had much to do with making this happen, he is after all a former police officer. Good job! it's about time!

Feb 28, 2012, 7:22am Permalink
Ted Wenzka

"retroactive pay increases from 2007 on" what was the city thinking of. I think of the years Sylvania was on hard times and we employees worked some years with no pay increases. Did we get retroactive pay increases - NOOOOO. John Roach - I know this was brought up before but it is definitely time for the city to get out of the police business. We got out of the ambulance business and we are better for it. Come on Citizens of Batavia - WAKE UP.

Feb 28, 2012, 8:12am Permalink
John Roach

Ted,
Maybe you're right, but then come and state your case and along with Peter try to get enough support. Advocating here is good, safe and easy, but you have to get out and get active if you're serious. Otherwise, this is just a nice debate point.

Feb 28, 2012, 10:08am Permalink

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