Windsor Police get 11.59% raise over 4 years

An arbitrator has awarded unionized members of the Windsor Police Service an 11.59 per cent wage increase over four years.

The raise equates to a police services budget increase of $1.8 million per year.

In January 2011, a first-class constable in Windsor was making $82,012.88 per year. In January 2014, a first-class constable will make $90,300 per year.

"The decision reflects our comparators in the province," Windsor Police Association president Jason DeJong said. "I think the membership is going to be please this has finally come to a conclusion."

He called it fair and positive.

The association does have to make one major concession. The arbitrator removed post-retirement benefits for life. They will, instead, expire at age 75 for any employee hired after January 2015.

"We're disappointed. We hate to see concession for any new hires," DeJong said.

The arbitrator also ruled that the Windsor Police Services Board increase long-term-disability contributions from $10,000 per month to $12,500 in 2013 and $15,000 in 2014.

Mayor Eddie Francis, who also chairs the board, said the arbitrator is "just replicating collective agreements across province" when it comes to the new police contract.

Windsor Police Chief Al Frederick said it will be tough to find the money in the annual budget but also said he will not consider layoffs.

DeJong said the community can't afford layoffs.

"The service is operating efficiently and providing good service to the community. There isn't room for layoffs at this time," DeJong said.

The new contract is retroactive to January 2011 and expires at the end of 2014.