The City of Athens has adopted a new labor agreement with patrol officers that will include a 4 percent salary increase, among other changes.
The ordinance was passed in February and is designed to phase out longevity pay for current officers in Athens. Longevity pay provides officers an additional 1 to 6 percent of their income based on their years of service.
The cost to continue longevity pay was becoming increasingly expensive and the city could no longer afford it. The change will save the city thousands of dollars, Athens Mayor Ric Abel said.
Wage increases will decrease by about half a percent each year over the next few years until longevity pay is completely phased out, said Beverly Henderson, personnel director for the city.
New hires will not be affected by this change and will have a 4 percent pay increase but also will have the responsibility of covering small portions of prescription drug and deductible costs.
-
17 Archives
Meghan Nicholson
