The Boston City Council unanimously backed a 25.4 percent pay increase for police officers Wednesday afternoon, arguing that the increase will help keep the police on par with firefighters, who were given a raise in 2010.
The increase will cost Boston $87 million over six years, the Boston Herald reported.
In 2010, a state arbitration panel awarded Boston firefighters a 19 percent raise worth $74 million, causing lawmakers to re-evaluate parity between cops and firefighters, the report said.
“We ask our cops and firefighters on a daily basis to wake up and not know if they’re coming back to their families,” Councilor Felix G. Arroyo said. “There is a price … and most of us would not choose that work.”
Council President Stephen J. Murphy also voted yes, based on parity, but he said the “dance” must stop.
“We move forward with a message to all safety unions,” he said. “You each had your dance. Everybody gets one dance. The dances are over.”
The average Boston police officer’s salary with overtime is about $109,000, the Herald reported.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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