Lewiston council approves police union contract after debate over overtime

The Lewiston City Council voted to approve a collective bargaining agreement with the Fraternal Order of Police, Lewis Clark Lodge No. 10, authorizing the mayor to sign the contract. The motion was moved and seconded on the floor and, following discussion, the mayor declared the motion carried.

Council discussion focused largely on overtime definitions and incentive pay. Supporters argued the agreement secures needed recruitment and retention measures; opponents and some councilors said they were concerned about counting paid time off toward the 40-hour workweek. In debate, a councilor said, "Overtime is the cheapest labor to pay" as part of an argument that keeping incentives helps avoid hiring additional officers. The contract package also includes modest increases to specialty and incentive pays; staff said those increases were already somewhat budgeted because officers already receive some incentive pay.

Finance and city staff described other negotiated items — including clothing allowances for non-uniformed employees and incentive testing for fitness — as continuations of prior practice with small budget impacts. The clerk conducted a roll call; several councilors recorded “aye” while at least two recorded “no.” The clerk’s tally shown in the transcript indicates mixed votes but the presiding officer declared the motion carried and authorized the mayor to sign the agreement.

City officials said the agreement was the result of give-and-take bargaining. The mayor thanked staff and the officers for their work in negotiations and urged the council to move forward.