After a protracted and bitter battle, the city and its police union have finally agreed on the terms of a new contract, according to city Employee Relations Manager, Kristy Schmidt. Struck on 10/26, the agreement comes after months of negotiations—mainly about possible cuts to the cops’ salary and retirement benefits—and after the city had threatened to impose a new contract on the Police Officers Association if no compromise could be reached. The new contract’s details won’t be released until after the union holds a ratification vote, said Schmidt. If approved there, the city council is expected to hold its own vote on the terms soon thereafter.
