Health co-pays added with 3.75-percent pay hikes
Vic Monaco Managing Editor
EAST WINDSOR — The Township Council next week is expected to approve a four-year contract for police that grants annual pay hikes of 3.75 percent and, for the first time, requires township employees to contribute to their health benefits.
That was the word Wednesday night from Mayor Janice Mironov, who said members of PBA Local 191 have ratified the deal and her fellow council members are expected to do likewise Tuesday.
The four-year contract would replace a five-year deal that expired at the end of 2005 and also had granted 3.75-percent annual pay hikes. It would be retroactive to January 2006.
”It has taken a while, with issues on both sides, but the final contract is one that both sides feel is fair and we’re pleased to be concluded with a contract that affects such a large number of important employees,” the mayor said.
Local 191 represents 45 employees of the department not including Police Chief William Spain or four lieutenants. Union representatives could not be reached for comment.
The pay hikes mean that the salary range for officers for 2006 would be $62,258 to $80,493, and sergeants would be paid $92,805 for 2006, according to the mayor.
Under the new deal, police employees will be responsible for a $10 copayment for doctor’s office visits, a $5 copay for generic drugs and a $7 copay for brand-name drugs, the mayor said. Out-of-network coverage will drop from 80 percent to 70 percent, she added.
Mayor Mironov said the health benefits changes, which are also being sought from other township employees, extended contract talks with the police union.
Police employees also will see a 4-percent annual increase in allowances for clothing, shoes and on-call standby pay, the mayor said.

