At a recent press conference, Mayor Eric Adams and the Office of Labor Relations Commissioner Renee Campion announced a tentative contract agreement with the Sergeants Benevolent Association (SBA) that promises to bring long-awaited salary adjustments to New York City's police sergeants. The deal, which comes after prolonged negotiations, was described by Mayor Adams as a necessary step toward acknowledging the crucial role of sergeants in law enforcement hierarchy and to enhance morale and retention within the force, as detailed by the city's official website.
Much to the relief of the SBA, the contract addresses a peculiar and longstanding issue where some sergeants were making less than the officers they supervised. Mayor Adams, a former police officer himself, expressed disbelief upon discovering the pay discrepancy, which, in his words, "This was going on for decades." The new agreement corrects this by ensuring, for the first time in decades, that "all our sergeants are ensured that they will earn more than the police officers they supervise," as noted in a statement obtained by the City of New York.
Commissioner Campion provided details of the contract, which includes compound wage increases totaling 18.77% over 5 years. The deal promises retroactive pay increases dating as far back as December 10, 2021, with the final wage increase slated for December 10. In her explanation, Campion stated, "This was funded by additional productivity and as part of the contract," ensuring a fair distribution of pay increases among the sergeants, as described in the official press release.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch also acknowledged the perseverance and dedication of the SBA president, Vincent Vallelong, during the negotiations. Vallelong himself pointed out the importance of taking the time to ensure a deal that serves the interests of both the NYPD sergeants and their families. Recognizing the efforts of everyone involved, Mayor Adams tipped his hat to state Senator Diane Savino for her role in balancing worker and city interests.
