Flint, Michigan – The Flint City Council opted to put off action on a proposed contract with the Flint Patrol Officers Association, meaning a decision on a new labor agreement for Flint police officers has been put on hold. The delay means that officers will have to wait longer for pay raises and back pay that were part of the tentative arrangement.
The agreement lists a number of adjustments that are meant to make pay better and make it easier to hire people in the department. One of the changes is to get rid of the lowest level on the compensation scale.
This is meant to raise the starting pay for new officers and make the job more competitive. The deal also says that the compensation will go up by 7% for the current fiscal year, starting on July 1, 2025. After that, it will go up by 6% in both 2026 and 2027.
The council’s decision to suspend its vote means that the retroactive pay related to the deal won’t be given out until a final decision is reached. The pause makes things even more unclear for officers and their families, even though all the members of the Flint Patrol Officers Association had already agreed to the deal.
Flint Police Chief Terence Green said he was disappointed with the council’s decision. He said the contract was the result of months of negotiations between the city and the officers’ union.
“I am disappointed that our officers will have to wait even longer for compensation they have already earned,” said Police Chief Terence Green.
“This agreement reflects months of good-faith negotiations and a responsible investment in recruitment, retention, and stability within our department.”
Mayor Sheldon Neeley also said how important it was to move forward with the deal.
“Our officers continue to serve this city every day without hesitation,” said Mayor Neeley.
“Delaying this vote sends the wrong message at a critical time for recruitment and retention. This was an opportunity for the City Council to show the working men and women of our police department that we value their commitment, and that opportunity was missed.”
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City officials said that the administration will keep working with council members in the hopes of getting the deal approved soon. The proposed pay raises and back pay are still on hold until then.