Conciliator settles Youngstown police contract

YOUNGSTOWN

Unable to come to a contract agreement for more than a year, a state conciliator has settled the dispute between the city and its police patrol officers union.

While the conciliator, Thomas J. Nowel of Maineville, sided with the union on four of the seven outstanding issues, the city won the two big ones — salaries and keeping in place a requirement that new hires take 12 years to reach the top of the pay scale.

“Overall, we’re happy with the decision,” said Mayor John A. McNally. “Police men and women have a very difficult job, but you have to be mindful of what we can afford down the road.”

The union has been working without a contract since Nov. 30, 2012.

Read details of the agreement in Thursday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.