Monessen OKs new contract with police

By KRISTIE LINDEN

klinden@yourmvi.com

The City of Monessen has approved a new five-year contract with its police officers.

The deal with Teamsters Local 205 is retroactive to Jan. 1 and will end Dec. 31, 2025.

After some new hires this month, the department includes 10 full-time officers, one Drug Enforcement Administration officer, three part-time officers and police Chief Jim Smith.

Council approved the hiring of two full-time officers — Zachery Powell and Justin Woodard — and part-timer Brittan Laird.

Under the new contract, full-time officers will receive a $1-per-hour raise each year and they’ve agreed to work 12-hour shifts.

The city also brought the role of sergeant back.

At council’s work session and voting meetings this month, Mayor Matt Shorraw read lists of the changes between the last contract and this new deal.

Among the changes are an increase in the sick and accident benefit from $150 to $400 a week. Also, maternity will now be considered an illness for that purpose. 

Maternity benefits will start the fourth day after the last day of work, while other sicknesses or accidental injury benefits start the day after the last day of work. Both require notice from a doctor stating the employee is unable to work.

Officers who have between one and four years experience will have seven vacation days, and those with five to nine years of service will get 10 days. Officers with 10 to 14 years in will get 14 days of vacation time and those with 15 to 19 years of service will have 17 days. Anyone with 20 or more years in the department will have 20 days of vacation.

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