New labor deals for Mundelein's police officers, firefighters
Mundelein's police officers and firefighters will receive modest pay raises under newly approved labor contracts.
The rank-and-file members of both agencies will get 2.25 percent salary bumps in each year covered by their respective agreements, except for the current fiscal year. That's because all village employees received 2.5 percent raises when the current fiscal year started May 1.
The village board on Monday approved a four-year pact with the union representing the town's police officers and a three-year pact with the union representing the firefighters. Union representatives have approved the deals, too.
Both contracts are effective immediately.
The previous labor contracts for employees in both departments expired April 30.
The police department contract covers 42 officers represented by the Metropolitan Alliance of Police.
The starting salary for new officers will continue to be roughly $67,394 this year, but that sum will increase to more than $68,911 in May 2018.
In addition to the pay raises, officers now will be able to bank up to four days of compensatory time annually instead of receiving overtime pay, said Mundelein Public Safety Director Eric Guenther, who oversees both the police and fire departments.
The fire department contract covers 15 firefighters represented by the International Assocation of Firefighters.
The starting salary for new firefighters will continue to be roughly $66,475 this year, but that sum will increase to more than $67,970 in May 2018.
In addition to the pay raises, the firefighters agreed to health insurance language changes that bring their plans in line with those of all other village employees, Guenther said. The firefighters' previous contract didn't allow flexibility or changes in insurance plans, he said.
Guenther characterized negotiations with both unions as "very cordial." The police contract was settled upon after five informal meetings, he said, and the fire department pact was set after four meetings.