Vancouver Police Officers’ Guild contract agreement includes pay hike

After working a year without a contract, the Vancouver Police Officers’ Guild has reached a labor agreement with the city for 2015-16 that includes a wage hike.

On Monday, the Vancouver City Council will consider authorizing City Manager Eric Holmes to sign the agreement with the guild, which represents 190 rank-and-file officers.

Retroactive to the beginning of 2015, the new contract will provide officers and corporals with a 2 percent pay increase for both years. Sergeants will receive a 3 percent raise both years.

Under the prior 2014 contract, police officers’ annual pay ranged from about $59,000 to $79,000. Corporals’ annual salaries ranged from about $71,000 to $86,000, and sergeants’ earnings ranged from about $77,000 to $94,000.

The old collective bargaining agreement expired Dec. 31, 2014.

According to city documents, the guild and city remained at odds over three issues while negotiating the new, two-year contract. An arbitrator who was called in for a two-day hearing ruled on the unsettled matters as follows:

• Denied the guild’s proposal to increase shift differential pay (higher pay received for working less desirable shifts).

• Denied the guild’s proposal to leave the city insurance plan and create a Health Trust.

• Denied the city’s proposal to add a 5 percent cap on city contributions to increased insurance costs.