NEW HAVEN, Conn. — Members of Elm City Local, the New Haven police union, voted on Friday in favor of approving the six-year collective bargaining agreement proposed by the City of New Haven and the union.
The new agreement represents all sworn officers of the New Haven Police Department. The city reports that 96% of the union members who voted approved the proposed contract.
“Our police officers swear on an oath to protect and serve our residents and often put themselves in harm’s way to keep our communities safe,” New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker said. “The new contract acknowledges their commitment, service and sacrifice. It will help us retain our current officers, recruit new ones and expand the ranks of the police department to help keep residents safe.”
RELATED: New Haven mayor, police union announce tentative agreement on new contract for police officers
According to the city, the collective bargaining agreement includes a 25% salary increase over six years, which aims to reward and retain current officers. It also implements starting salaries of $70,000 for new officers, which could help attract more recruits.
The contract also features new schedules to support improved work-life balance for officers.
Now that the agreement has been approved by the union’s membership, Elicker will submit the proposal to the Board of Alders in the next 15 days. The Board of Alders will have 30 days to determine if they approve or reject the contract.
Following the vote, Elicker was elated to hear the news.
“It’s extremely gratifying that our police officers voted overwhelmingly in favor of the proposed contract, and that they believe it’s a fair contract that respects them and their service to our city,” Elicker said.
Elicker expressed gratitude for the work completed by Union President Florencio Cotto and said he looks forward to submitting the proposed contract to the Board of Alders for their review and approval.
Also on Friday, Elicker swore in four new police recruits. The city says the police department’s total ranks now stand at 330 sworn personnel.
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Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
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