NYPD sergeants union approves contract after successfully negotiating agreement with city officials.

In a significant development for the New York City Police Department, the Sergeants Benevolent Association (SBA) has successfully negotiated a new contract with the city, concluding a protracted and contentious bargaining process that spanned two years. This agreement emerged following interventions from key members of Mayor Eric Adams’ staff, notably Deputy Mayor Kaz Daughtry. Their involvement proved crucial in resolving longstanding disputes related to pay disparities and recent demands for sergeants to adopt 12-hour shifts.

The negotiations reached a standstill as union representatives and the city’s Office of Labor Relations grappled with the issue of compensation for sergeants, many of whom found themselves earning less than officers of lower rank. This wage gap affected approximately 1,275 sergeants, a situation the SBA president, Vincent Vallelong, highlighted as untenable and unworthy of their service. Under the newly forged contract, all sergeants will receive a salary increment, with the top pay rising to approximately 5,000 annually.

Crucially, while the contract avoids formalizing the contentious 12-hour work shifts, the union has consented to a pilot program allowing 50 sergeants to volunteer for extended hours over the next nine months. This compromise ensures that participation is strictly voluntary and separate from the overarching contract, a point that the union was keen to secure in writing.

The SBA’s struggles endured long enough that members sought external arbitration when negotiations faltered. The last contract expired two years ago, and the city’s recent increases in pay for rank-and-file officers catalyzed the disparity that prompted these negotiations. The urgency was underscored by the rising retirement eligibility among sergeants, with projections indicating that 1,100 will be vested by July, offering them the opportunity for retirement.

Mayor Adams has emphasized the importance of investing in public safety, asserting that any necessary expenditures to maintain the security of New Yorkers will be made. This renewed contract signifies a vital step forward in restoring equity within the ranks of the NYPD and enabling the department to operate more effectively. As New York City strives to ensure the well-being and support of its police personnel, the successful resolution of this contract highlights the administration’s commitment to addressing the needs of its workforce while navigating the complexities of public safety.