Police union signs deal with Town

The last of the three contracts between a municipal union and the Town was signed Tuesday, July 24, by First Selectman Judy Neville.

The New Canaan Police Department’s contract will take effect retroactive to July 1.
Union members are encouraged to pursue higher education, and stipulations of the new contract give aid and rewards for it. Tuition reimbursement has been raised to $4,000 per year. Degrees attained garner stipends to an officer’s salary. An associate’s degree receives a $300 increase, 90 credits receive $400, a bachelor’s degree $850, and a master’s will add $900.

An officer may also opt to take three certification courses, which will not only better prepare them for emergencies, but will also earn supplemental stipends. These classes are Medical Response Technician ($350), Automated External Defibrilator ($400) and Emergency Medical Technician ($500). All officers are required to be trained to the MRT level, and added stipends are designed to encourage higher levels of certification.

“It allows us to put a more highly trained officer on the street,” Chief Ed Nadriczny said.

Merit increases in wages, a standard for union contracts, was set at 3.5 percent retroactive to 2006, 3.75 percent this year, and 4 percent for the last two years of the four-year agreement. This is the highest merit increase of the three unions serving New Canaan. Police officers have also been given 25 percent dental coverage for spouses, and a choice to opt out of the union health plan, which gives them a $3,000 stipend. Public Works, Firefighters, Police, and all non-union employees now have this option.

In previous contracts, prior military experience could be substituted for time served on the force, allowing for earlier retirement. However, this “buy back” has been eliminated.

While earlier retirement has been curbed, negotiations have added more potential for an increased pension. Working off of the accumulation of sick days and vacation time, a police officer can now sell unused days in blocks of ten for cash or pension credit. If the latter option is chosen, each block will give an increase of .5 percent, up to 4.5 percent. If the maximum increase is reached, the Town will contribute an extra .5 percent, making a total of 5 percent, a significant bonus to a retiree’s pension.

Also, upon the death of a retired officer, his or her spouse will be entitled to 60 percent of the total pension benefit.

© Copyright 2007 by Hersam Acorn Newspapers