Council Approves Union Contract for Wheaton Police

Wheaton City Council approved a three-year contract for sergeants and lieutenants in the that includes cost of living adjustments, payout for accrued sick leave, a two-tier severance payment and 10 to 12 percent health insurance contributions.

The Metropolitan Alliance of Police (MAP) collective bargaining agreement was unanimously approved Monday night after "quite some time" of negotiation between MAP and city staff, City Manager Don Rose said Monday.

"It (the contract) generally mirrors changes in the FOP (Fraternal Order of Police) contract that represents patrol officers," he said.

Councilwoman Jeanne Ives said the contract is the third union contract city officials have negotiated this year. She said the agrement will limit the city's future liabilities, creates a two-tier system for severance and retirement pay and buys down liabilities for employees on sick day accumulation. She added the agreement, "keeps us at our two percent goal," not to increase expenses.

The MAP unit members will receive a two percent Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) each year of the agreement. The agreement also includes:

• Sergeants and lieutenants may receive a 25-day payout of accrued sick leave
• Sick leave language generally limits accrual above 100 days
• Health insurance contributions of 10, 11 and 12 percent
• Grievance and/or arbitration option for discipline

Provisions of the agreement will be retroactive to May 1, 2011 and expire April 30, 2012.