The Fraternal Order of Police has reached a tentative contract agreement with the city of Jacksonville.
Published on June 20, 2024 at 11:33 am
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The Fraternal Order of Police has reached a tentative three-year contract agreement with the city of Jacksonville, covering both police and corrections units.
The tentative contract includes a 13% salary increase for police officers in fiscal 2024-2025 and 5% increases in each of the next two years, the city says.
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Corrections officers would get a 15% increase in the first fiscal year, then 8.5%, then 7% over the next two.
“Most importantly, the city and the FOP have addressed the critical hiring needs of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office by raising starting salaries significantly to better compete in the challenging law enforcement market,” the city said in an announcement. The Sheriff’s Office currently has almost 300 vacancies, and the number is rising.
Starting wages for police would rise from $52,000 annually to more than $65,000, the city said. Corrections officers would increase from $48,000 annually to more than $60,000.
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Retirement benefits for new police enrollees would move to the Florida Retirement System beginning in 2027. Also in 2027, current enrollees in the defined contribution plan would have the option to remain there or move to the Florida Retirement System.
Union members have 15 days to review the agreement, followed by three days of voting.
Earlier this month, the city reached an agreement with the International Association of Firefighters. That agreement would provide a 12% salary increase in the 2024-2025 fiscal year and 5% increases the next two years.
As with police, retirement benefits for new enrollees would move to the Florida Retirement System in 2027. Current enrollees of the defined contribution plan would have the same option to remain there or move to the Florida Retirement System.
The firefighters contract still must be ratified by membership.
