Sturtevant Reaches Agreement with Police, DPW Unions

Sturtevant village officials have reached agreements with the Police and Teamsters unions. Expected savings could total at least $8,000 a year just from the police department.

Trustees discussed the details briefly at the Sept. 13 Committee Meeting before moving each segment of the agreements forward to the Village Board for the Sept. 20 meeting.

The agreement with the Wisconsin Professional Police Association includes:

• Two-year contract; January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2012

• Wages will be frozen for both 2011 and 2012

• Each of the eight officers will take five furlough days in 2012

• 2012 overtime will be paid at 2011 hourly rates.

Specifically, wages for officers in the Patrolman #1 category will see an overall decrease in hourly wages in 2012; from $24.57 to $24.10. Officers who are considered Patrolman #2 will see their hourly rate decrease from $23.58 to $23.13.

Officers chose to have their reduced wages spread over the course of the year so even as they take their furlough days, they'll still receive a full paycheck every payday.

"The furlough option was requested by the Association in answer to the village's option to increase contributions to healthcare and retirement," said Police Chief Sean Marschke.

And while these changes first impact the eight uniform officers, Marschke said he expects similar concessions with his position and that of Captain Tim O'Neill.

The furlough days will be taken one officer at a time, most often on days when the department is at full staffing levels.

Further, the village has settled a dispute over a change in insurance carriers. Four officers were affected by a change to the Teamsters Central State plan; Officers Weihr, Gelden, Kovacs, and Karasek will see payments from $258 to $1,288 as discussed with the WPPA.

On the Public Works side of the village, the agreement only covers the 2011 calendar year. Chuck Stachowski, director of public works, said the agreement for 2012 should reach trustees at the Sept. 27 Commitee meeting.

"This agreement is only good until December 31 of this year," he confirmed. "I expect the agreement for next year in the next two weeks."

Full time employees during probation will make $19.38 an hour, and after probation will earn $23.75 an hour. Part-time, casual and seasonal employees for light work will see $9.11 an hour and $13.42 an hour.

Work rules for DPW workers will now fall under the village's personnel manual, including a new grievance policy required by Act 10, the budget repair bill.

Under this new policy, village employees will first discuss a complaint with their immediate supervisor. Should that prove unsuccessful, employees then have five days to file a written grievance with the Village Administrator unless the problem is with the Administrator. In that case, the complaint should be filed with the Village President.

After a decision is reached, if the employee is still not satisfied, they have the option to request a written review by an impartial hearing officer.

Trustee Linda Busha requested a time frame inserted into the policy that the hearing officer has to respond.

"I think we can't keep people just hanging on," she said.

Other trustees didn't think that was necessary and could be addressed on an as-needed basis.