The 10 full-time officers will receive raises of 4 percent each year for four years, retroactive to Jan. 1, 2005.
By: Linda Seida
LAMBERTVILLE After working a year without a contract, the city’s police officers have a new pact that provides 4 percent raises each year through 2008 in return for givebacks in dental benefits and paid holidays.
The City Council ratified the agreement Monday. PBA Local 343, which represents the city’s 10 police officers, ratified it earlier this month.
The city and the PBA had agreed to financial terms of the contract last fall, but the contract’s language concerning benefits delayed final approval by the PBA, according to council President Cynthia Ege.
The terms remain the same as the initial agreement hammered out through a state arbitrator and announced by city officials Nov. 1. The contract will run retroactive from Jan. 1, 2005, to Dec. 31, 2008.
Police gave up the city’s employee contribution to dental care, valued at $4,000, or $400 per officer, as well as one paid holiday a year. They previously were paid for 14 holidays a year. However, police still do not have to contribute toward the cost of their health benefits.
In return, they will receive a 4 percent raise each year of the four-year contract. They’ll also reach top pay a year sooner.
Officers now can reach top pay in five years on a six-step pay scale. Under the previous agreement, officers reached top pay in six years on a seven-step pay scale.
Also, the value of 13 paid holidays, worth 5 percent of their salary, will be added to each step of the pay scale before the calculation of the 4 percent increase.
The contract will change the manner in which holiday pay is calculated. Previously, a holiday was calculated at 8.5 hours. Now it will be calculated at 8 hours.
Another change concerns how police receive their longevity pay. Formerly it was paid in one lump sum on the anniversary of their full-time employment. Now a portion will be included in their biweekly paychecks.
Longevity payments are pre-existing from a previous contract. Police receive $400 annually for the fifth through ninth years; $850 annually for 10 through 14 years; $1,250 annually for 15 to 19 years; and $1,850 annually for 20 years or more.
As a cost-saving incentive, the city agreed to pay an officer who opts out of the city’s health- care plan 50 percent of what the city formerly paid for his health-care benefits.
There will be a cap of $10,000 on mandatory reimbursement for unused sick days for employees hired after Oct. 1, 2005. The prior cap was $15,000.
Current salaries are: Sgt. 1st Class Michael O’Rourke, $63,064.07; Sgts. Robert Brown and Jeffrey Jones, $60,061.02 each; 1st Class Police Officers Kenneth Housman and Sharon Polyak, $57,200.97 each; 4th Class Police Officer Joseph Weber, $39,118.91; 5th Class Police Officer Anthony Memolo, $38,544.55; 6th Class Police Officers Michael Miloszar and Michael Gramlich, $35,937.99 each; and 7th Class Police Officer Vincent Albani, $33,319.81.

