Buffalo police union gets raises for 4 consecutive years in new contract

The tentative contract, approved Monday by the Police Benevolent Association’s members, calls for a 3% salary increase from July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2022, and 4% increases for each of the next three years.

The tentative agreement covers about 812 budgeted police department positions through June 30, 2025.

Brown’s administration filed the tentative deal Tuesday just prior to the Common Council’s 2 p.m. business meeting.

Council President Christopher P. Scanlon said he was “thrilled” the parties have come to an agreement.

“I haven’t had a chance to look at it in depth yet, but obviously when contracts like this come to the Council with increases in pay, things like that, we want to look at how that’s going to be paid for, what other stipulations are within the contract before we approve it,” he said. “By and large I’m just thrilled they’ve come to an agreement and are moving forward with the next step.”

PBA President John Evans said, “Though it took a long time to accomplish, in the end we were able to agree on terms. The body of the PBA voted to ratify the deal. We await word from the Common Council. We expect it will be approved in short order.”

Brown stated in the documents filed with the Council that he believes this is a “fair agreement which provides the city with necessary long-term fiscal stability and avoids the uncertainty that comes in the event that we proceed to the interest arbitration process.”

Longevity payments included in the deal increase by $20 per year in all four years.

The parties agreed to maintain the previous contract’s residency requirement, which requires all bargaining members hired after the ratification of this agreement to be “domiciled” residents of the city at the time of hire and remain a resident for seven years.

The…