TRUSTEES OK NEW POLICE CONTRACT PROVIDING FOR 3.5% ANNUAL RAISES

Tinley Park Village Board members have approved a two-year contract with the village police union.

The pact, approved late Tuesday night, calls for a 3.5 percent salary increase for each year, a $25-a-month drop in deductions for the preferred provider organization dependent health insurance coverage, a $10 monthly increase in longevity pay, and an increase in the uniform allowance from $575 to $650 in the first year and to $700 in the second year.

“This contract has been the subject of a lot of blood, sweat and tears,” said Trustee Ken Fulton, noting the two sides would have entered arbitration next week if they had not reached a settlement. “This is a nick-of-time agreement.”