This week, law enforcement officers in the Belpre Police Department in Belpre, Ohio unanimously ratified a new union contract.
The three-year agreement includes annual wage increases of 6% the first year and 5% the following two years, as well as significant increases in longevity pay that amount to the largest pay boosts in 20 years.
The contract also improves on a number of other benefits, including an extra week of vacation with a faster accrual time, an additional paid holiday to celebrate Juneteenth, and increased bereavement leave. Overtime calculations have also been adjusted to provide more opportunities to earn overtime pay, and Health & Welfare premiums will continue to remain below other area jurisdictions.