Police union agrees to two-year contract

University Police officers will receive a 10-percent pay raise spread over the next two years as part of a new contract ratified last week. The new two-year contract, which calls for the pay hike for police officers, corporals and detectives, was negotiated by their new union, the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 115. The FOP officially began representing the police on August 2. According Director of Human Resources Rogers Davis, the contract talks went smoothly, which is markedly different than the last time the University tried to negotiate a contract with its police force. In 1988, contract negotiaions between the University and the previous union -- United Plant Guard Workers Local 506 -- broke down and resulted in a 45-day walkout, forcing department supervisors and office staff to assume 12-hour shifts six days per week to patrol campus. "It was very productive and healthy, honest negotiations," Davis said. "There was a very good relationship across the table." Although the former three-year contract expired August 1, Labor Relations manager Jack Heuer said last month delays were expected because of the union change. The union completed negotiations with the University on Thursday and its members ratified it Friday. The union represents approximately 87 employees, Davis added. University Police Commissioner John Kuprevich said yesterday that the pay raise would not come out of his budget and therefore was unsure how much it would cost. "[The union members] seem to be pleased with the negotiations that have occurred," Kuprevich said yesterday. "Those in the union are very professional." "Everybody seems to be happy with the new contract," head of detectives Michael Carrol said yesterday. "The detectives seem to be enthused to be members of the FOP." Lodge 115 President Nick Viola could not be reached for comment. The contract does not change the amount of time off for the officers, Davis said.

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