Elgin police union agrees to no pay increase

Elgin police union members have approved their contract with the city and will pass the baton to council members for a vote Wednesday night.

The contract is good for one year rather than the normal three because it includes no pay increases for anyone. The trade-off: no layoffs.

“The entire process was characterized by a sense of cooperation and mutual understanding of two things: the city’s financial position and the police department’s willingness to want to help with that,” City Manager Sean Stegall said.

Union members have had a series of conversations with city officials over the last several months, Stegall said. The previous contract expired on Dec. 31 but has remained in place while both parties discussed the new one.

Aside from the pay agreement, Stegall said there were two other major points to the contract.

A change to promotion eligibility will allow existing employees to qualify for advancement without a 4-year degree, a constraint put in place several years ago by the city’s Board of Police and Fire Commissioners.

“We’ve got a number of high caliber, highly qualified individuals who may happen to have military experience or a 2-year degree,” Stegall said. “It didn’t seem fair to them nor in the city’s best interest to arbitrarily bar them from opportunities.”

For all new employees, the degree requirements will remain in place.

The contract also adjusts the sick leave policy, giving union members the chance to receive pay for 25 percent of their sick leave pay upon retirement.

Officer Chris Jensen is the former vice president of the union local, which includes about 250 officers. He said the final contract was approved Monday.

“In this economy we can’t ask for a pay increase,” Jensen said. “Everyone wants a pay increase, but it’s just not going to happen.”

The council vote will take place at the 7 p.m. meeting Wednesday in the council chambers, 150 Dexter Court in Elgin.