The Wenatchee World Online
Eastside police get pay raise
Council votes 5-1 for 22-percent increase over three years
By Travis Hay
World staff writer
Posted May 15, 2008

EAST WENATCHEE — The East Wenatchee City Council approved a 22-percent pay raise over a three-year period for the city's police personnel Tuesday.



The pay increase gives police officers and clerical employees a 10-percent pay raise this year, a 6-percent increase in 2009 and a 6-percent increase in 2010.


Mayor Steve Lacy negotiated the contract on behalf of the city with Teamsters Local 760. After the agreement was approved, Lacy estimated he saved the city about $75,000 in legal costs by representing the city during the lengthy contract talks, which began last winter.


The contract passed by a 5-1 vote with Councilman Dennis Hendricks casting the dissenting vote. Councilwoman Sandra McCourt was excused from the meeting.


Instead of comparing pay with Washington cities of similar size to East Wenatchee, the union asked for pay to be raised to be comparable with Wenatchee. Wenatchee's force has 40 commissioned officers and East Wenatchee has 21 commissioned officers.


Wenatchee officers receive a base salary of between $4,098 and $6,121 per month. Before the contract, base salaries for Eastside officers ranged from $2,983 to $4,937.


The contract went into effect immediately and is retroactive to Jan. 1 of this year. Base salaries for East Wenatchee officers now range between $3,281 and $5,431 per month.


Paul Parmley, Teamsters business representative, said the wage increase was about having financial parity between both cities' police officers. He said Wednesday afternoon that East Wenatchee officers routinely respond to calls in Wenatchee, where they work alongside peers making significantly more money. The city's position was that East Wenatchee officers respond to fewer calls and see less action than their colleagues across the river.


"One of the big issues for us was the financial parity," Parmley said. "We wanted that level of parity with the city of Wenatchee. The fact is that they (Wenatchee and East Wenatchee) are right next to each other, so you have to use them as a comparison."


Parmley said while a 22-percent raise over three years is a significant increase, he thinks both the city and the police department will benefit from the new contract.


"It is a pretty good jump in pay," said Parmley. "But I think we all, including the mayor's office, are happy with it. It allows the city to maintain competitiveness with Wenatchee when jobs are available concurrently and it allows the city to retain its officers."


Travis Hay: 665-1169


hay@wenworld.com


COMMENTS

You must be registered and logged in to post a comment. Register or Log in

 

so why does not state patrol and sheriff's make same as Wenatchee as well- don't they serve in city along side higher paid officers and dont' they face the same dangers?
None None | May 15, 2008 4:52 pm | Request Removal
POST A COMMENT (limit 5,000 characters)
   

Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.

© The World Publishing Company


CLASSIFIED TOP JOBS

NURSING ASSISTANT INSTRUCTOR (Part-Time, Omak, WA) Part-time instructor needed for Omak campus, beginning Fall Quarter. RN with experience in caring for the elderly or chronically ill of any age. This position will include classroom and clinical instruction for the basic skills and knowledge required for competency as a nursing assistant. Teaching experience preferred. For more information and application call 509-682-6660 or email ppowers@wvc.edu AA/EOE

INSURANCE AGENT Are you a goal-oriented, high energy, successful sales professional? If so, we invite you to consider a position with AAA Washington as a Personal Lines Insurance Sales Agent. Our career agents earn new and renewal commissions that result in unlimited income potential. We pay agent expenses and provide them with a client lead program. We also provide a competitive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) and a company paid retirement benefit, and annual AAA Plus membership. We offer new agents a guaranteed monthly salary plus commissions, and provide a comprehensive insurance training. Successful candidates should have strong organizational and interpersonal skills, be proficient with on-line and computer technologies, and thrive in a fast-paced environment. They should, also, have a track record of success in sales. A current “All Lines Insurance License” (Property, Casualty, Life, Health and Disability) or the ability to obtain one is required for this position. To apply, please visit our website at: www.aaawa.com then click “Employment.” EOE Drug Free Workplace

Director of Nursing Premier Senior Living Community in Wenatchee is looking for a Director of Nursing. Great benefits, life insurance, 401K paid holidays, vacation with medical and dental insurance available. Send resume to: Box 16046 c/o The Wenatchee World P.O. Box 1511 Wenatchee, WA 98807

 

MORE CLASSIFIED TOP JOBS