Peoria reaches tentative deals with three labor groups; council approved MOUs unanimously
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Summary
After expedited negotiations, the city and three represented employee groups reached successor memoranda of understanding covering pay, benefits and contract language; council approved the MOUs by unanimous votes Dec. 17.
Peoria and representatives of three employee groups announced Dec. 17 that they had reached tentative successor memoranda of understanding covering wages, benefits and contract language; the council approved each MOU in separate votes later that evening.
City negotiators described a rapid timeline and said the agreements preserve market competitiveness for recruitment and retention while addressing group‑specific needs. The city presented MOUs for police supervisors (COPS), the AFSCME general municipal group, and the firefighters’ association; council approved the successor MOUs as agenda items 25R, 26R and 27R by 7‑0 votes.
Highlights reported by negotiators included: for police supervisors (one‑year term, effective July 1, 2025) a range adjustment to improve internal promotion pay differentials, a 1.25 percentage‑point increase to the differential, parity for shift differential, a retention payment and a transition option for retirement contributions from a prior $4.57‑style contribution to a 401(a) structure. COPS representative Seth Bigelow said the association’s goals were to “remain competitive in our market” and to update contract language.
AFSCME reached a three‑year agreement (effective July 1, 2025) that negotiators said includes a 2.5% cost‑of‑living adjustment in year one, a merit‑lump‑sum structure for performance recognition, a $500 one‑time contribution to start 457 retirement accounts, an additional rest break allowance for field workers in extreme heat, and Juneteenth as a compensated holiday. The union representative described changes as strengthening recruitment and retention.
The firefighters’ agreement is a two‑year deal that negotiators said addresses wages for firefighters, engineers and captains (engineers were furthest behind market), raises for paramedic and specialty pay (TRT, HazMat, rescue swimmer assignments), continuation of presumptive cancer screening during employment and some lump‑sum payments. Fire representatives said the screening program had detected three occupational cancers during recent months, underscoring the program’s importance.
Council voted separately on each MOU; staff reported unanimous approval for 25R, 26R and 27R.
Ending: City staff recommended approval, and council approved all three successor memoranda unanimously Dec. 17; staff said further implementation steps and merits payments will be carried out according to the MOUs’ schedules.