Batavia patrol officers, detectives get new contract

Batavia patrol officers and detectives will now see a raise in their paychecks after the city council approved a new contract Monday night.

The raise of 2 percent each year is retroactive to Jan. 1, 2011, when the old contract expired; the new contract ends Dec. 31.

The contract, which covers about 40 workers, also guarantees no officers will be laid off.

A starting patrol officer will be paid $62,098, as of Jan. 1, 2012.

The salary for an officer with six or more years of experience tops out at $85,622.

The contract calls for 12 paid sick days per year, and officers may accumulate up to 192 sick days.

Officers will be partially paid for unused, accumulated sick time when they quit the job.

Those with five to 10 years employment will be paid 10 percent, up to the equivalent of 11 full days; those with 11 to 15 years get 15 percent, up to 25 days; those with 16 to 20 years get 25 percent, up to 45 days; and officers with more than 20 years get 40 percent, up to 72 days.

The contract also includes caps on the premiums officers pay for health insurance. Should the premiums exceed those caps, the contract will be reopened for negotiation.

The city and the union also agreed to work on developing a health care savings plan for retirement.

Batavia police sergeants are a separate bargaining unit.