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Police set for pay increase

By John Larson

After working without a contract since 2005, Tacoma police officers are set to receive raises totaling 10.2 percent for the period of 2006-08.

An independent arbitrator ruled that officers should receive raises totaling 10.2 percent. The award, which was announced April 21, calls for a 2.3 percent raise for 2006, 4.6 percent for 2007 and 3.3 percent this year.

The agreement is with the union that covers the majority of police employees. It represents 237 patrol officers, 57 detectives and 43 sergeants.

The arbitrator analyzed rates of pay for police in Bellevue, Everett, Spokane and Vancouver, Wash. Union officials had wanted the arbitrator to base the decision on pay rates in California cities including Bakersfield, Stockton and San Bernardino.

The arbitrator ruled in favor of the city by not granting a request by the union to allow officers to cash out up to 40 hours of vacation time each year.

The arbitrator found a middle ground on the issue of standby pay. The city wanted to keep it at the current $2 per hour, while the union wanted an increase to $3. The arbitrator went with $2.50 per hour.

The arbitrator also sided with the city in turning down a request from the union for an increase in deferred compensation from $192 per pay period to $213.

City Manager Eric Anderson said he is pleased the two sides reached an agreement. “This has been a long haul and at times has been difficult,” he said. “We did not get everything we wanted and they did not get everything they wanted. This forms a good basis for the next agreement, which we will start working on right away.”

Anderson said that while the arbitrator’s decision is final, it still must go through the formal process of approval from Tacoma City Council. The first reading of a resolution on the topic will be on the agenda of the council’s May 6 meeting.

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