Unionized Warren police officers ratified a new three-year deal with the town last week after making moderate changes to a preliminary contract approved late last month by the Warren Town Council. The police union, Local 470 of the International Brotherhood of Police Officers (IBPO), agreed to slight changes regarding longevity, medical insurance and life insurance policies.
“There was not a lot of sweeping changes,” said Joseph DaSilva Jr., president of the IBPO.
According to Warren Town Manager Michael Abbruzzi, the negotiations went smoothly even though a change regarding the IOD policy was significant.
Under the new contract, officers who are hurt on the job and whose doctors believe they will not be ready to return to work after a year and a half on IOD must take a disability pension.
“It’s the start of a process to resolved outstanding IOD issues,” said Mr. Abbruzzi.
Mr. DaSilva said the additio of a new life insurance policy to the contract is also a landmark for the department. Under the change, unionized officers are given a life insurance policy in the amount of $50,000 in case of accidental death or dismemberment.
“Until now, we were the only members of the town [office] who did not have life insurance],” said Officer DaSilva. “It’s kind of ironic considering our line of work.”
While adding life insurance will cost the town more, there was a decrease in the amount of longevity, an annual payout, an officer an accrue towards his or her retirement. Officers hired under the new contract July will now receive four percent of his or her base salary as a payout each year after five years of permanent service, a decrease compared to the five and half percent received under the last contract. Under the new contract, after every five years of service, a one percent increase in longevity will be added. An officer who has served for 25 years still receives nine and a half percent longevity pay, the same amount stated in the previous contract.
“I’m a taxpayer too and don’t want to see things out of control,” said Mr. DaSilva.
In order to reduce medical insurance expenses for the town, the contract will pay any members 25 percent of what their health care insurance would cost if hired before July. Those hired in July or later are able to receive $3,000 if they decide to forgo family plan health coverage, and $1,000 if they decide to forgo individual coverage.
“It’s to stave off the rising cost of medical healthcare ... The town will save a bit,” said Officer DaSilva.
Officer DaSilva said the negotiators — Fausto Anguilla for the Town of Warren and Ralph Ezovski for the IBPO — assisted the two groups in an efficient and timely manner.
“I’m very pleased we were able to get it done. The process went very smoothly for both sides,” said Officer DaSilva.
He added that during negotiations, both the town and the IBPO’s main objective was to complete and ratify the contract.
“I’ve been to a few meetings and all haven’t been so cordial,” said Mr. DaSilva. “This time, the bull was left at the door.”
