New Details Emerge in Police Contract Negotiations

ROckford, Illinois- The new proposal in front of the police union includes a 2.5% raise retroactive to January 1st, a 3.5% raise in 2007, and 3% raises in 2008, 2009, 2010, along with insurance contributions. But the union`s leader, Doug Block, says he was surprised by how details of the negotiations became public. Rockford Mayor Larry Morrissey sent a memo to union members detailing the private negotiations, effectively making them public says Block. "It took us a little bit by surprise that he would do that, it`s kind of an unusual move," says Block. "But Im glad he did it in a way because now some of the things off the record are out in the open and the membership knows about it." He says the memo allows the membership to talk openly about likes and dislikes of the current proposal. Right now it extends to 2010. "I would like to know what the cost of living will is for Rockford in 2010 but I have no crystal ball and that`s quite a ways out," says Block. Mayor Morrissey was unavailable for an interview. But union members tell WTVO the mayor countered claims made by officers that Winnebago County Sheriff`s police have a better deal. "We said the sheriff`s department got much better pay raises than us, they got some longevity steps, the whole package," says Block. "The city`s package did not compare with that package."