County Board OKs Police Union Concessions

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At its Jan. 19, 2011 meeting, the Washtenaw County board of commissioners approved agreements with two unions – the Police Officers Association of Michigan (POAM) and the Command Officers Association of Michigan (COAM) – that are expected to save a total of $5.6 million over a four-year period. The $4.426 million in POAM concessions will mostly come from forgoing raises in 2011 and 2012, and getting 1% raises in 2013 and 2014. The 244 employees represented by that union will also begin paying for part of their health care premiums – $50 a month – starting in 2013. The COAM union, which represents about 33 officers, agreed to the same concessions in a vote taken this week. Those concessions will also apply to eight non-union employees at the sheriff’s office. In 2009, most other unions representing other county employees agreed to concessions – the POAM and COAM did not agree to cuts during that budget cycle.

This brief was filed from the county board meeting at the Washtenaw County administration building. A more detailed report will follow: [link]