City, Police Agree to Contract 'Pretty Close to Perfect'

Almost a month after the expiration of the collective bargaining agreement between Oak Forest police and the city, aldermen Tuesday, May 24, cemented an updated, "fair" version with "a lot of give and take," according to Police Chief Greg Anderson.

Under the new agreement, officers will see a 2 percent raise each year of the three-year contract, which expires April 30, 2013. Among other concessions, the Metropolitan Alliance of Police conceded to nine furlough days in the 2011–2012 fiscal year—a move which no other units agreed to, according to Mayor Hank Kuspa. The department will not see any layoffs in the 2011–2012 fiscal year, the contract reads.

"The police, understanding and trying to help the city through this, agreed to quite a bit," Kuspa said. "The police department did an awful lot."

Last year, Kuspa said, the fire department was the first to come forward with concessions. This year, the police assumed that role.

Ald. Pete Muscarella sat in on the city's negotiating team and was impressed with the group's ability to work toward a favorable outcome. 

"There was no animosity," Muscarella said. "This was pretty darn close to being perfect."

"There was certainly a lot of give and take from both sides," said Oak Forest Police Chief Greg Anderson. "But I do think we have a fair contract."

Other terms of the contract:

• Compensatory time can be collected on a 50-50 split, with half going for money and half to time only—saves the city $120,000.
• For all training other than range training, all mandatory training will be compensated at overtime rate.
• Sick leave benefits will be paid out at current salary, not past salary earned.
• The union and city will work on a physical fitness and testing program.