Includes Innovative Deferred Retirement Option Program
Local 400 members serving as Takoma Park, Md., Police Officers recently ratified a strong new three-year collective bargaining agreement.
Covering 34 Officers, the contract makes improvements in compensation, provisions involving military service, emergency pay and retirement options.
“Bargaining for this agreement started prior to the COVID shutdown and was completed virtually after several months of extensions,” said Officer Jeff Demuth, Chief Shop Steward. “We believe the bargaining was very successful considering the difficult circumstances it was bargained under.”
One of the most notable elements of the contract is the creation of the Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP). It allows officers with 25 years of service to retire and continue to work for an additional three years. Pension payments are accumulated but deferred for this period.
Other key provisions include:
- Across-the-board pay increases that reflect local governments’ looming financial difficulties due to the COVID-19
- Credit toward retirement for up to three years of prior military service
- And paid military leave for those who serve in the reserves or national guard
- Better premium pay for Field Training Officers
- Emergency pay for weather related emergencies for officers who are required to work
- Technical pay for officers who earn special designations through training
The collective bargaining agreement took effect retroactively on July 1, 2020 and expires on June 30, 2023.