Borough, police union approve 3-year contract

Phoenixville police officers will see a 3.5 percent annual raise in salary for the next three years.

Borough police officers will see a 3.5 percent annual raise in salary for the next three years following the approval of a new contract.

Borough council unanimously approved a collective bargaining agreement with the Phoenixville Police Association Tuesday night. The labor agreement runs from Jan. 1, 2017 to Dec. 31, 2019.

Both sides of the bargaining table agreed the negotiations ran smoothly and everyone came away happy.

“It was really great,” said Councilman Jeremy Dalton. “The department was really great and everyone was really positive.”

“We sat down and had honest and earnest conversations each time and moved the ball forward,” said Councilman Jonathan Ewald. “I think we came out with a good agreement for both sides.”

Detective Nick Natale, president of the police association, said negotiating with the borough went really well.

“It was a very open line of communication back and forth,” he said. “There was a lot of talk and agreement. I didn’t think at any time that there was going to be any issues.”

According to the terms of the contract, the annual base salary for a patrolman, corporal or sergeant will increase by 3.5 percent annually. That means a patrolman, for example, earning approximately $83,000 a year in 2017 will earn nearly $89,000 by 2019. Likewise a sergeant earning approximately $92,000 in 2017 will earn approximately $99,000 two years later.

In addition, the contract states that the annual salary for officers completing five, 10, 15 and 20 years of service shall be paid 2 percent, 3 percent, 4 percent or 4.5 percent of their base wages, respectively.

The contract also states that each officer will receive 144 hours of sick time per year, 13 paid holidays and 36 hours of personal leave for the year, but no one is allowed to request a personal day during the following nights: the night of St. Patrick’s Day, night before Thanksgiving, the night of July 4th, the night of the Phoenixville Firebird Festival, the night of New Year’s Eve or the night of the Dogwood Parade.

Vacation days are dependent upon years completed with the department. Officers with one to five years completed will receive 80 hours of vacation time. Those with six to 10 years receive 120 hours. Officers with 11-15 years receive 160 hours and those with more than 16 years experience receive 200 hours, according the contract.

For the full details of the contract visit: https:// www.documentcloud.org/ documents/3213184-PoliceCBA. html