Union Grievance Victory: Police Department Employees Secure Back Pay

The Municipal Employees Federation (MEF-AFSCME Local 101) is proud to announce a significant victory in our ongoing efforts to ensure fair compensation for all city employees. Following a successful grievance against the City, seven Police Department employees have received substantial back payments for on-call pay that was rightfully owed to them but not initially paid.

The issue revolved around the city’s failure to properly compensate employees for on-call rotations. Many city employees, including those in the Police Department, are required to work on standby or on-call, or are mandated to report back to work after hours, either remotely or physically. Despite these obligations, the city did not adhere to the contractual agreements regarding on-call pay, leading to the grievance filed by our union.

Thanks to the grievance process, these seven dedicated employees have now received the back pay they deserved. This victory underscores the importance of understanding your contract and ensuring you are paid correctly for your work. The city is not always proactive in ensuring proper payment, and frontline managers and payroll personnel often misinterpret contract language, resulting in underpayment.

It is crucial for all employees to be aware of their rights and the specific terms of their contracts concerning on-call, standby, and callback pay. If you are uncertain about your compensation or believe you may not be receiving appropriate pay, we strongly encourage you to speak with a union steward. They can help you understand the contract and ensure you receive the pay you are entitled to.

We are not stopping here. There are ongoing grievances addressing other areas where the city has failed to pay employees according to the contract. While we celebrate this victory for our colleagues in the Police Department, we remain vigilant and committed to rectifying any discrepancies in employee compensation across all departments.

This successful grievance highlights the importance of union representation and collective bargaining in safeguarding workers’ rights. We are pleased to have achieved this positive outcome and will continue to advocate for fair treatment and proper compensation for all city employees.