On Wednesday, April 5th, New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Office of Labor Relations (OLR) Commissioner Renee Campion announced a tentative 8-year agreement between the city and the Police Benevolent Association (PBA) that would see an increase in the remuneration for members of the NYPD. The agreement will become valid and applicable if ratified by members of the PBA. This will serve as the first agreement between the city and a union representing uniformed workers under the Adams Administration.
“New York City will always support the men and women of the NYPD as they do one of the toughest jobs anywhere — and today, we’re proud to announce a historic deal with the Police Benevolent Association that will do just that,” said Mayor Adams. “As someone who wore the blue uniform and the badge for 22 years, I know that today’s agreement represents an acknowledgment that working people keep this city running and how this administration will always put working people first. The contract will allow our police officers to work a more flexible schedule, build morale, and ensure that New York remains the safest big city in America. I want to thank our tireless OLR commissioner, Renee Campion, and PBA President Pat Lynch for their partnership.”
The tentative agreement will be retroactive, going back to August 1st, 2017, and lasting until July 31st, 2025. The wage increases contained in the agreement will start from 2.25%, increasing annually and reaching 4% in the final year. The agreement will cover at least 23,000 members of the NYPD.
The NYPD has been experiencing a reduction in its workforce in recent years with one of the reasons given for leaving the force being a lower level of annual pay compared to other states and counties.
The agreement between New York City and the PBA improves the level of pay for new officers. From August 1st, 2023 new officers in their first year of work will receive an annual salary of $53,790. The officers will also receive what is called a “Neighborhood Policing Differential” payment, which will be an additional 2.25% or $1,210. In total, NYPD officers at that level will earn up to $60,000. From August 1st, 2024, those officers that have worked for the NYPD for more than five and a half years will earn $131,500, all financial benefits considered.
The tentative agreement will see the introduction of a pilot program that will deploy officers on 10 and 12-hour tours. The program will start off at two precincts in the Bronx. The program is meant to boost officer morale and lend flexibility to the NYPD to increase staffing during times when there is a high crime rate.
“This is a contract agreement for the future, not just for New York City police officers but for our entire city,” said PBA President Patrick J. Lynch. “The challenges police officers face on our streets have never been greater, and our work has never been more critical to the city’s success. It’s no secret that police officers and our families have been under tremendous strain. We have lost far too many talented cops to better-paying and less stressful policing jobs elsewhere. This agreement is not only a major step toward closing our pay gap relative to other police departments — but it also significantly improves our members’ quality of life. We thank Mayor Adams, Police Commissioner Sewell, and their teams for engaging us in real conversations about what cops are going through and what we need to keep this city safe.”
