10.5-percent raise for city police?

YOUNGSTOWN — A fact-finder’s report recommends the city give its police patrol officers a 10.5-percent raise over three years and that the union members pay more of their health insurance premiums.

City council will vote Wednesday to authorize the board of control to approve the contract.

Law Director Iris Torres Guglucello, a board of control member, called the fact-finder report “favorable,” and recommends its approval.

Edward Colon, president of the 117-member Youngstown Police Association, declined comment today on the report.

Either side can reject the 44-page nonbinding report. If the report is rejected, the contract’s terms are resolved by a binding arbitrator.

The union’s contract expired Nov. 30, 2006.

A major fact finder recommendation is an increase in the health insurance premiums paid by the patrol officers.

The fact finder agreed with the city’s plan to have union members increase their contribution from 7 percent to 10 percent with certain caps.

The city had proposed 1.5-percent salary increases annually, effective at the signing of the contract, for the patrol officers. The union countered with 4.5-percent annual raises, retroactive to Dec. 1, 2006, the first day of a new contract.

The fact finder recommended the union receive a 3-percent raise, retroactive to Dec. 1; then a 4.5-percent raise in the contract’s second year and 3 percent in the last year. That’s the same amount the city gave its ranking officers union in June.

For the complete story, read Tuesday’s Vindicator or vindy.com