County, Police Commanders Reach Labor Agreement

UPDATE (9:21 p.m.)—Baltimore County has reached a new labor agreement with a union that represents nearly three dozen police commanders.

The agreement, announced today, guarantees no layoffs or furloughs for members of the Police Executive Corps—which includes the ranks of captain and above—through June 30, 2015.

The Police Executive Corps bargaining unit is not technically a union and cannot negotiate contracts like other formal unions.

In return, the county received concessions for increased contributions to the county retirement system. The union also agreed to reduce their sick day accrual from 15 days annually to 11 days.

According to a statement issued by the county, the agreement also includes:

• Commanders will receive raises equal to those given to officers belonging to the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 4 for the next three years.
• Existing captains and above will increase their retirement contributions from 7 to 8 percent beginning July 1, 2012.
• Officers promoted to captain or above on or after July 1, 2012 will contribute 10 percent of their annual salary to their pension.
• Sworn members of the police executive corps members can continue to take home police patrol vehicles until June 30, 2015. Use of vehicle "is subject to restrictions and procedures established by the Chief of Police."
• Sick leave will now accrue at the rate of 11 days annually instead of 15 days beginning January 1, 2013.
• Physically incapacitated executive corps members will receive service credit at the rate of one month for every 16 days of unused sick time instead of the current 22 days beginning January 1, 2015.

The agreement is similar to one offered to the Fraternal Order of Police last year. The county, in its statement, said the union declined that proposal.

A number of police commanders took .

Five other unions representing county employees last year.