PORT TOWNSEND — The Fraternal Order of Police reached an agreement with Jefferson County officials for a raise in 2017 for corrections officers.
The bargaining agreement does not cover patrol officers. Patrol officers are covered under a different contract, which is not currently up for negotiations, said County Commissioner David Sullivan.
The contract, which will be implemented Jan. 1 and run through December, increased wages by 2.5 percent from 2016 to 2017.
Newly hired deputies now will be paid $19.59 per hour. That can increase up to $25.48 per hour after more than 72 months of employment. Deputies receive a raise every 12 months.
Sergeants are on the same raise schedule. However, starting wages for a sergeant corrections officer will be $24 per hour as of Jan. 1, 2017.
Sergeants can be paid up to $31.22 per hour after more than 72 months of employment.
In January, officers also will receive a $750 lump sum since the contract was not approved and implemented before the first full pay period of 2017. The $750 is to make up for the fact that they are still being paid 2016 wages.
According to Sullivan, this is a pretty common issue for small counties like Jefferson County.
“Sometimes these things don’t get approved right on time since people who are negotiating these contracts are negotiating multiple contracts around the state,” Sullivan said.
“It’s just a matter of getting everyone in the same place to talk.”
Sullivan said, as a smaller jurisdiction, Jefferson County contracts can be put on the back burner.
“Larger jurisdictions tend to get priority,” Sullivan said. “Places like King County get negotiated first.”
The year-long agreement was approved unanimously by the three county commissioners Monday.
“These things are always in progress,” Sullivan said. “Since it’s just a short period of time, we’re already looking ahead to next year.”
Included in the now approved agreement is also an additional hour of paid time for field training officers and paid time and a half for sergeants required to take calls while off duty.
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Jefferson County Editor/Reporter Cydney McFarland can be reached at 360-385-2335, ext. 55052, or at cmcfarland@peninsuladailynews.com.
