Rob Ford's gravy train: big raise for police

The Toronto Star:

Toronto police officers will become the highest paid in the country with a deal that provides salary increases totalling 11.5 per cent over the next four years.

A tentative agreement reached earlier this week provides a 3.19 per cent increase this year, almost 3 per cent in each of the next two years, and 2 per cent in 2014. An initial pay hike of 2.75 per cent is retroactive to Jan. 1 and will be followed by another 0.44 per cent in October.

Details of the collective agreement were presented to members of the Toronto Police Association Wednesday night. The union, representing almost 5,600 officers and 2,100 civilian members, has recommended acceptance.

It is believed to be the first time the association has negotiated a four-year contract. The term was extended from the usual three years in order to get a better overall package, the union explained in a 28-page ratification booklet handed out at the meeting.

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