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Wheaton police sergeants, lieutentants get 3-year contract

Wheaton police sergeants and lieutenants will receive raises every year for the next three years thanks to the city council's approval Monday evening of a new collective bargaining agreement.

The agreement was ratified last week by Chapter No. 450 of the Bolingbrook-based Metropolitan Alliance of Police, whose members include the city's six sergeants and three lieutenants.

City Manager Don Rose said the contract is the same as the past several years, except for the wage adjustments. It will be in effect until April 30, 2017.

Unit members will receive a 2 percent cost of living wage increase in the first year of the agreement, retroactive to May 1 of this year. In the remaining two years of the agreement they will receive a 2.5 percent cost of living wage increase.

Rose commended the bargaining team - including Lt. Bill Murphy and Lt. Robert Miller, who were present at the meeting - for getting the contract done in a timely manner.

"I think it's a good contract for the city and I presume you also think it's a good contract for the members of your union," Rose said. "It's fortunately a much different experience than we've experienced with our most recent other negotiations that have been going on and continue to go on with our other bargaining units."

Murphy and Miller said they have no complaints with the contract and felt it was fair.

Councilman Phil Suess also commended the police sergeants and lieutenants, saying that they have been "very generous" in working with the city over the years.

The contract was approved with a 4-0 vote. Councilmen John Prendiville and Thor Saline and Councilwoman Evelyn Pacino Sanguinetti were absent.

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