The unit hadn’t received raises since July of 2009, according to Sgt. Joe Tedeschi, the union’s president.
“We’re no different than other folks working in the city. We have families and expenses,” Tedeschi said. “When you go without a wage increase that long, it starts to take its toll and and it’s hard on our members. We’re just glad that we’re able to get this contract agreed to and start moving forward.”
While the command officers may be underpaid compared to other law enforcement supervisors in Clark County, the union felt the deal was fair, Tedeschi said.
“It’s a start moving forward and giving some security to our membership,” he said.
As part of the contract, all union employees will enroll in the city’s high deductible health insurance plan. The biggest fear for union members is that of the unknown, Tedeschi said. But he hasn’t heard any negatives from other units about it.
“It’s going to take a little bit of getting used to,” Tedeschi said.
The move to high deductible health care plans with health savings accounts has been standard in all of the city’s most recent union contracts, said Springfield Personnel Director Jeff Rodgers. The city negotiates with six city bargaining units, as well as the National Trail Parks and Recreation District’s AFSCME unit.
“It’s another unit that’s going all in,” Rodgers said. “We felt like it was a fair deal. It’s good to get another unit done at the table.”
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