Sylvania police unit rejects mediator's recommendations

1/8/2003

The bargaining unit for Sylvania police patrol officers has rejected contract recommendations from a mediator for the state employment relations board and contract terms now will be submitted for binding arbitration.

Joseph Allotta, attorney for the Sylvania Fraternal Order of Police, said it is hoped that the issue will be submitted for arbitration by the end of the month.

The state fact finder recommended that the patrol officers receive a raise of 3.5 percent this year and in each of the next two years. He also suggested that there be a cap of 100 hours annually for accruing compensatory time off.

He also recommended that officers begin paying 5 percent of health insurance premiums this year. That would increase to paying 10 percent of the premiums in January, 2005.

Police Chief Gerald Sobb said the contract will cover 24 patrol officers.

Command officers and dispatchers, he said, are negotiating separately and are close to reaching agreements.