Detectives and Command Officers agree to pay cuts and more

A pay cut, health care changes, mirroring of prescription drug benefits in retirement and an increase in employee pension contributions are some of the concessions agreed to by the Royal Oak Detectives and Royal Oak Police Command Officers Associations.

The City Commission voted unanimously on Monday to approve both tentative agreements for the two year period of July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2013.  The unions voted to ratify their agreements on May 7.

Members of the Detectives and Command Officers Associations have agreed to accept an immediate 2.5 percent reduction in pay; a wage freeze in the second year; moving all members to one health care plan with higher deductibles and more out of pocket costs; 20% contribution for health care premiums; a $10/$40/$80 drug rider; mirroring of prescription drug coverage at retirement with prescription drug coverage for active employees; and increasing their pension contribution to 6 percent.  Both units had increased their pension contribution from 2 percent to 5 percent in the previous contract.

City Commissioner Jim Rasor thanked Donald Swiatkowski, president of the Royal Oak Detectives Association at the City Commission meeting.

“I really appreciate the job that the detectives do considering the ranks have been as cut down as they are. I know that the detectives in this community are doing a great job keeping us safe. I think that what you gave up in the contract was amazing and I appreciate it, but only when we all pull together can we get ourselves out of this financial calamity that’s really nobody’s fault,” he said.

Mayor James Ellison expressed appreciation to David Clemens, president of the Royal Oak Police Command Officers Association.

“This is a life-changing event in the City of Royal Oak for the way we conduct business and it couldn’t have happened without good, strong, leadership that understands where we are as a community, what our residents need, what the city needs, and quite frankly, what we can afford. The sacrifice is there, these guys make sacrifices every day of the week by being out on the street. We have got, bar none, the most excellent police department in southeastern Michigan, if not the state. That is because we have good cops on the street, but it is also because we have good leadership in our command staff.”

According to City Manager Donald E. Johnson, “These Agreements represent real savings to the City of at least 15 percent.  This is significant, and it’s comparable to the savings we received in other Agreements that were recently ratified.”

The Royal Oak Detectives Association currently consists of five members and the Royal Oak Police Command Officers Association has 14 members.

The City is hopeful it will soon have an Agreement with the Royal Oak Police Officers Association.  If that happens, the City will have settled contracts with all employee units until June 30, 2013.  

Contact: Donald E. Johnson, City Manager (248)246-3200

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