IRVINE : Council, Police OK Three-Year Contract

The City Council this week approved a new contract for Irvine police officers who have been working without one for more than 15 months.

The three-year pact, reached last month and adopted Tuesday by the council, provides officers with modest pay hikes as well as increases in retirement and insurance benefits.

On Monday, members of the Irvine Police Assn. approved the contract on a 102-4 vote.

“I think all sides are happy this is all over. We believe the city treated us very fairly, and we are happy with what we ended up with,” said Lt. Patrick A. Rodgers, president of the association. “Now we can get back to business.”

The contract is retroactive to January, 1992, when the previous pact expired.

Under the terms of the new contract, which expires in 1994, police officers receive no cost-of-living increase in the first year. For 1993, officers will get a 3% raise. In addition, the city will contribute an additional 2% in health insurance benefits.

In 1994, salary increases will be based on changes in the consumer price index, said Bernie Strojny, Irvine’s director of administrative services and budget.

Rodgers estimated that 1994 salaries will probably increase by about 2%, with an additional 2% increase in retirement benefits.