City Of Louisville: Mayor Fischer Announces Agreement With Corrections FOP For New Recruit Pay Hike

Press release from the City of Louisville:

January 21, 2022

Mayor Greg Fischer, Louisville Metro Corrections leadership and FOP Corrections Union Lodge 77 today announced that FOP Corrections members have voted to accept an agreement to increase pay for sworn corrections officers by a substantial margin.

The agreement, approved this evening by an overwhelming vote count of FOP Corrections members, includes boosting the starting pay for new corrections officers to $44,346 with a combination of 8% pay raises for all sworn officers and the elimination of an entry level pay step. The 8% across-the-board raises are in addition to the 2% raise provided to Metro Corrections sworn employees in July and the 2% raise they will receive on July 1, 2022, both negotiated under previous contracts.

These raises are in addition to the $2,000 retention incentives and the $5,000 premium pay most corrections officers will receive.

“I know my team and Lodge 77 worked quickly to get this raise back in front of the members with minimal changes to their contract and I’m glad it was overwhelmingly approved by officers who have served our city proudly,” said the Mayor. “While staffing shortages are a challenge being dealt with nationwide, across all industry sectors, it is critical we continue to work to ensure it does not affect the vital, round-the-clock public services provided by our city government. These steps will make these critically important jobs more attractive for career-seekers.”

Corrections Director Dwayne Clark said leadership has spent months working with the FOP to find a way to increase pay for Corrections officers. “Corrections officers work hard and deserve this pay raise. We are committed to recruiting qualified persons and I believe this is a good step in the right direction,” he said.

"We are pleased with the outcome and believe this is a step in the right direction to begin addressing the staffing issues at Metro Corrections,” said FOP Lodge 77 President Daniel Johnson. “We would like to thank the Mayor’s Office and Chief of Public Services Matt Golden for continuing to work with FOP Lodge 77 until we reached an agreement to increase wages and accountability for our membership."

“I am thrilled that the Corrections FOP and the administration were successful in reaching an agreement with this contract that will provide better pay for the hard-working officers,” said Metro Council President David James, D-6. “I look forward to receiving the contract in Council so that we can pass it in support of our Metro Corrections officers.”

The agreement between the city and FOP also includes steps to improve accountability for Corrections employees, similar to some of the reforms seen in the police contract.

Matt Golden, Chief of Public Services, said “These 8% raises are believed to be the largest single-year enhancement of a closed contract in Metro Corrections’ history. We also believe that starting salaries for those who want to serve our city at the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections (LMDC) are among the highest correctional officer starting salaries in the Commonwealth. I appreciate the Mayor and the leadership of Mr. Clark and Daniel Johnson working to make this improvement. ”

This press release was produced by the City of Louisville. The views expressed here are the author’s own.