The village of River Forest and its police officers have reached an agreement on a new three-year contract, which retroactively begins on May 1, 2016.
During the Aug. 8 village board meeting, trustees approved the new contract with the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 46 by a 4-0 vote. Trustees Thomas Dwyer and Roma Colwell-Steinke were absent.
According to Village Administrator Eric Palm, the contract covers 25 sworn officers, which includes patrol officers and sergeants.
“We were able to negotiate the contract without the use of attorneys, just representatives from the village and FOP,” Palm said. “We have a very good working relationship with the FOP and appreciate their willingness to work collectively on this contract.”
According to the agreement, union officers will receive raises of 2.25 percent in the first year of the agreement and raises of 2.5 percent in each of the final two years of the contract. The contract is due to expire April 30, 2019.
Regarding back pay for the wage increases, Palm said officers would receive it in one lump sum on an upcoming paycheck. Palm called the agreement a “mature contract” that did not include any significant changes otherwise.
“This is the culmination of phenomenal work,” Village President Cathy Adduci said prior to the village board vote.
The department also includes three sworn nonunion officers, which includes the police chief, deputy chief and commander. Another four non-sworn employees, three of which are full-time, are also not covered by the contract.
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