Keokuk, IA – Keokuk is offering members of the police department's bargaining unit much less than what the union is asking for.
The city's initial offer calls for first year pay hikes of 4% for dispatchers, patrolmen first class, and the city's humane officer; 3% for patrolmen third class; and 0% for patrolmen second class.
Everyone in the police bargaining unit would receive pay increases of 2.5% in years 2 and 3 of the deal.
By contrast, the bargaining unit's initial offer calls for an 11% pay hike each year for three years.
The city's proposal contained just one other provision: the elimination of a benefit that provides a single health insurance policy to retiring members who meet certain experience requirements.
Finance Sub-committee Chairman, Doug Matlick, says that provision, which was negotiated several years ago, must be eliminated, adding that that point is non-negotiable.
Future negotiations can now move behind closed doors until a deal is reached.
Additional Information
* The city's proposal did not address any of the bargaining units concerns about vacation time, sick leave, or longevity pay.
* The city has eliminated the retirement insurance benefit from all other union contracts.