After West Windsor’s police contract expired at the end of last year and negotiations with the township stalled, the union turned to an arbitrator to break the impasse.
The local union’s demands? Four percent annual pay hikes for sergeants and for patrolmen at the top of the scale and 2 percent annual wage increases for everyone else, in addition to the standard wage increases officers receive for additional years of service.
The township of course came in with a lower counter-offer. And, ultimately, the arbitrator awarded two years of 2-percent raises and two years of 2.25 percent raises for everyone.
Sound like business as usual to you?
No, say local government lobbyists.
They fear it could be a sign of bigger raises for police and firefighters who are emboldened to ask for more following the state’s controversial decision not to renew a law designed to help curb property taxes.