Update 9:15 a.m. Friday
City and union officials provided some pay scale information to Q2 News following a request for information. Further specific details of the proposed contract won't be released until after the Billings City Council votes to ratify it on Jan. 12.
Here is the new information released Friday morning:
There was no increase in benefits. The pay scale is the same pay scale that was already in existence from the previous contract. The only changes are as follows:
- 3% Cost of Living Increase in year 1 (which will be half over when the contract) In lieu of retroactive pay, both parties agreed to a lump sum one time payment to each officer depending on their years of service.
- 3% Cost of Living Increase in year 2
- 3% Cost of Living Increase in year 3
There were no “substantial changes”. There was no increase in “paid leave”. There is no “longevity pay”. Longevity Pay was lost in a previous contract negotiation with the City of Billings.
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First Report
BILLINGS - Unionized Billings police officers have voted to accept a new contract with the city after six months of negotiations and three attempts to reach an agreement.
The collective bargaining agreement passed with 87% support from officers in the vote. The contract now needs approval from the Billings City Council before it takes effect.
Police officers have been working without a contract since July, when they overwhelmingly rejected the city's initial proposal. Officers also rejected a second contract proposal in August.
Q2 reached out to city and union officials asking if the agreement includes pay raises, increased benefits or additional leave time, but have not heard back.
