BLOOMINGTON - (March 8, 2022) -The City of Bloomington and the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) have reached a contingent agreement on the terms of a new collective bargaining agreement (https://bton.in/EVCm1), which includes unprecedented investments in public safety. The new contract would govern salaries and benefits for FOP members for four years starting in 2023.
The contingent agreement continues and expands one-time investments made in 2022 funded by the American Rescue Plan Act and other federal supports, including 2023 salary increases of more than 13% for officers first class and more than 12.5% for senior police officers. The city and the Union agreed on a 60% increase to members’ annual longevity benefits and agreed to double officers’ longevity pay in their 20th year, from $2,500 to $5,000 annually.
On January 1, 2023, an officer first class with one year of service at the Bloomington Police Department would see their salary increase by $6,694. A senior police officer with 20 years of service would see their salary increase by $9,189. Overall, over four years the contract would provide an increase of 23.3% in base pay for a total of $72,266 for officers first class and 22.8% in base pay for a total of $75,465 for senior police officers. The new contract would also memorialize the Juneteenth holiday and simplify how overtime pay is computed.
“We began this negotiation with a commitment to continuing this community’s strong investments in our outstanding police department, hoping to reach a fair and positive outcome for all,” said Mayor John Hamilton. “We’re proud of the collaborative negotiation and pleased with the contingent contract’s terms. We are ready to usher in the next chapter of police services in Bloomington, and look forward to working with the Common Council to take the necessary next steps to make this agreement final.”
Proud supporter of the Lawrence County Zephyr
The Mayor and the members of the FOP have both approved the terms of the contingent agreement. Before the agreement can be final and in effect, the City Council must take additional steps, including establishing a new annual source of revenue adequate to fund the agreement and giving formal approval of the agreement through a Council vote.
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The City and the FOP agreed to negotiate a new contract on an accelerated schedule after the City Council endorsed a salary adjustment during budget negotiations last October. Two weeks ago, the parties’ bargaining teams reached an agreement in principle on a new contract, and last week, a majority of the voting members of the FOP approved the contract.
Proud supporter of the Lawrence County Zephyr
The City anticipates proposing a local income tax increase for the Council’s consideration during the first half of 2022, which is the most likely source for the needed new revenue.