WEST NEW YORK —The West New York Police Department signed a contract Friday negotiated between the town and its Police Supervisors Association after operating without contract since July 1, 2009, Lieutenant Mark Flores reported.
Though the contract is retroactive from July 1, 2009 and valid through 2014, the association conceded 18 months of retroactive pay between July 1, 2009 and Dec. 31, 2011. They will receive a three percent raise across the board each year starting Jan. 1, 2012.
“In this way, the contract benefits both the association and the town,” Flores said.
Members of the police department will no longer be able to bank their unused vacation days as they used to. Any days they do not use during the course of the year will not roll over into the following year. “This way, those set to retire cannot use their accumulated vacation days right before they leave,” Flores said. “This way the town won’t have to compensate.”
He continued that overall, it was a pleasure dealing with the town and that he is happy to have finally come to an amicable and mutually beneficial agreement.
“It’s long overdue and justly done,” Mayor Dr. Felix Roque said. “They put their lives in harms way on a daily basis and they deserve this.” — Gennarose Pope