Finance committee recommends ratification of Springfield police union contract

The Springfield City Council finance committee voted unanimously Monday to recommend that the full council ratify a collective bargaining agreement between Springfield City and the International Brotherhood of Police, city officials said.

The agreement calls for 3.5% wage increases per year over a four-year period, adds a weekly $85 stipend for officers serving as field training officers while they are actively training, expands bereavement leave by two days for the death of an officer—s spouse or child, and includes other clarifications and administrative updates, according to negotiators and city staff.

Tim Allen, chair of the finance committee of the Springfield City Council, opened the meeting and invited negotiator Bill Mahoney to summarize the pact. Attorney Bill Mahoney said negotiations began in February and included about 10 bargaining sessions. “It—s a great contract, I think for both sides,” Mahoney said,…