RACINE—The City of Racine has reached a tentative agreement with the Racine Police Association, which includes a raise and benefits package for police officers.
Racine Common Council Finance & Personnel Committee will vote on the contract on Monday, March 13. The Mayor and Chair of the Finance & Personnel Committee will present the proposed contract to the Racine Common Council for approval on Tuesday, March 21.
The tentative agreement includes the following provisions:
– A 15% raise implemented over four years (retroactive to January 1, 2021)
– A $2,000 retention bonus to all members of the local
– An additional paid holiday (Martin Luther King Jr. Day) and 24 hours of vacation time
– 320 hours of paid parental leave
– A 3% pay increase for city residents
– Student loan repayment assistance for residents
– Mortgage down payment assistance for residents
In addition, Common Council passed a $5,000 recruitment bonus on Tuesday, March 7.
These incentives recognize the vital role that police officers play in the community and aim to attract and retain high-quality public safety workers.
Mayor Cory Mason provided the following statement:
“I am thrilled that we have reached an agreement with the Racine Police Association after hard negotiations from both teams. This contract recognizes the important and difficult work of our police officers and compensates them appropriately. I am eager to bring this agreement before the Common Council and urge their support. As we continue to face public safety challenges, this agreement demonstrates our commitment to working together to keep our city safe and healthy.”
Alderman Natalia Taft, Chair of the Finance & Personnel Committee offered the following quote:
“I have tremendous respect for the tireless efforts of our police officers in keeping our community safe, especially during these challenging times. This contract strikes a balance between supporting our public safety workers with competitive wages and benefits, while also ensuring the city’s long-term fiscal sustainability. This agreement represents a significant step forward in both retention and recruitment of public safety officers and staff who share our commitment to making sure Racine is a safe, secure, and healthy community.”
