Port Authority Reaches Agreement with Police Union

The Port Authority Board of Directors today approved a new labor agreement with the Port Authority Transit Police Association, which represents its police officers.

The agreement runs through July 31, 2013 and applies to more than 30 employees who work for the Authority's Police Department. This agreement was ratified by our police officers, but not by the unit representing sergeants and lieutenants, who work under a separate agreement. Management will continue to work with that group to reach a settlement.

The contract is retroactive to Aug. 1, 2009. Wages are frozen under the first two years of the agreement with the possibility of increases in the last two years.

"Recognizing the current financial condition of the Authority, this is certainly an austerity contract," said Jack Brooks, Chairman of the Port Authority Board of Directors. "Our police already have helped address the legacy cost issue as they gave up post-retirement healthcare in 2007 along with management and non-represented staff."

Also, new police employees hired on or after Sept. 1 will be enrolled in a defined contribution retirement program along with management and non-represented staff.