St. Charles unveils police contract details

A new police contract in St. Charles would provide for raises up to 4.25 percent, grant the police chief more disciplining power, and save the city a big chunk of cash in the current budget year.

The 41 officers covered in the new contract would agree to a wage freeze similar to agreements already in place with most other union and nonunion employees in the city. The concession by the police will save the city about $145,000 this year. (Total wage freeze savings for the city will be about $1.2 million this budget year.)

In return, the police contract provides for raises that increase each year of the contract, which expires in 2013. Officers will receive raises starting at 3.75 percent in the 2010-2011 budget year and reaching 4.25 percent in the final year of the contract.

Should difficult economic conditions continue, the contract spells out a specific method for implementing layoffs. Officers with the least amount of tenure would be the first to get laid off, and the last to be recalled if and when the city is ready to rehire staff. While laid off, the officers are paid out any unused vacation time and are eligible to maintain insurance coverage.

Besides the pay, perhaps the biggest change in the contract involves the new process for suspending or firing police officers. The disciplinary process is one of the major sticking points between the city and the newly-formed police sergeants' union, which is headed to binding arbitration with the city.

For the rest of the police force, the police chief or acting chief will have the sole power to suspend or fire a police officer. Previously, the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners also had a say. The police chief's decision is final and can only be reversed by filing a formal grievance and going to arbitration.

Mayor Don DeWitte praised the contract as the right fit during a time when the city is pinching pennies.

"The implementation of a wage freeze is a logical and necessary response to the current economic conditions," DeWitte said in a written statement. "It will save St. Charles taxpayers a significant amount of money at a time when layoffs and reductions in pay are common and some of our residents are struggling to make ends meet."

DeWitte's statement will likely serve as a preview to the vote the city council will take on the contract Monday.