NLR panel OKs raises for police, firefighters

Raises and other benefits for North Little Rock's police officers, firefighters and police supervisors gained a unanimous vote of approval Monday night from the North Little Rock City Council.

Aldermen voted 6-0 for each of the three contracts without discussion of the details that were released last week. Aldermen Maurice Taylor and Charlie Hight were absent.

Mayor Joe Smith complimented representatives of the police and fire unions for working with him for the past year on new contracts after several years of working without a contract. Police officers haven't had a contract in nine years, and firefighters have gone eight years without a contract with the city, Smith has said.

Smith said the aim was to achieve pay levels that were "fair and competitive," but he acknowledged that the city still lags behind in competitive pay.

"The competitive part, it will take us awhile to get there," Smith said.

All three contracts will take effect next Tuesday and run through June 30, 2015.

For the remaining six months of this city budget year, the pay raises that include some increased benefits will cost the city $90,322 for the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 35, $91,334 for the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 5, and $26,449 for the North Little Rock Police Supervisors Association. Amounts for raises vary by department, rank and length of service.

Also included in the totals for the Fire Department are increased payments for advanced education achievement, a higher monthly food allowance for 24-hour employees, from $80 to $120 monthly, and changes to vacation leave for 56-hour employees to be based on shifts worked instead of by weeks.

Among changes for the Police Department are increases in pay scales for 10-year, 15-year and 20-year officers. Police supervisors will have a longevity bonus increased to $10 monthly per year of service, up from $5.85, and have an entry-level pay scale removed, with entry level now starting at what had been the Step One pay level.

Nonuniformed city employees aren't in line for pay raises this year, Smith said. However, Smith announced last week his plans to award $500 bonuses Dec. 1 to full-time, nonuniformed city workers who are maxed out with their step-in-grade pay raises.

Terry Glenn, representing the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, a trade union, asked the council to consider giving nonuniformed workers a pay increase instead of a one-time bonus.

After deductions, "that $500 doesn't leave you very much," Glenn said during public comment. "We're asking for something better than a $500 bonus."

Smith replied that the possibility for raises will continue through 2015 budget discussions later this year.

"I'm not sure what our revenue will be for 2015," Smith said. "I thought $500 was pretty good to throw out there."

Alderman Debi Ross echoed that she wanted the city to "look at what we can do for our nonuniformed employees" before budgeting the city's annual contributions to nonprofits.

Alderman Steve Baxter said he would "like to see some kind" of catastrophic leave program included for all employees in next year's budget.

Smith said such a plan has been "talked about" in the past three months and would continue to be included in benefit discussions for next year's budget.

Metro on 06/24/2014

Upcoming Events