Council presented with three-year labor agreements for police and public‑works units; fire talks ongoing

City negotiators and staff summarized recently ratified labor agreements at the Feb. 23 work session.

Mr. Bird said the agreement with CWA Local 7176 (police) is a three-year contract that includes a 4% cost-of-living adjustment, market adjustments for officers (5% in year one, then 2% and 2% in subsequent years), and changes to overtime and health-insurance language; the latter reflects participation in the CABco consortium and includes an employee premium contribution set at 7% up to negotiated caps.

The Local 828 agreement (ASME/AFSCME) covering public works, transit and library employees is also a three-year agreement with a 3% COLA and several targeted base-wage adjustments; it similarly updates health-insurance provisions and folds in required federal transit terms for the transit workforce. Both agreements were ratified by their bargaining units and are presented for council approval.

Chief Tubes said fire IAFF Local 301 bargaining remains ongoing and a proposed side agreement for event-standby fees was being advanced as a time-sensitive item to fold into the overall agreement negotiations.

Why it matters: Staffing and compensation adjustments affect recruitment and retention in public safety and critical city services. Council members expressed support for improved police pay competitiveness and noted the city must consider budget impacts as wages take effect.

Next steps: The council was asked to consider the resolutions formally; staff will present finalized contract language and cost impacts as part of regular-agenda action.