UC police wages go up

The University of California and the Federated University Police Officers Association union announced a new contract on Oct. 22 concerning wages and benefits for more than 200 of the UC’s police officers, according to a university statement.

The contract implements a 2 to 8 percent increase in pay for officers, depending on the campus, plus the same health and retirement benefits as other UC employees. These changes were put into effect at the beginning of October.

Assistant Chief of Police Jeff Young said the base salary for UCLA police officers will increase by 8 percent.

The contract also increased the longevity pay for officers who have been serving the UCLA police department for more than 10 years, Young said.

In addition, there was an increase in funding for specialized certificates, which university police receive when they complete special assignments or get promoted to higher levels in the department, and an increase in uniform allowance, which will go toward newer uniforms.

UC chief negotiator Peter Chester said the contract talks went very smoothly because of the cooperation between UC and union officials.

“That kind of cooperation and partnership makes a big difference,” Chester said.

The new contract will be in effect through Sept. 30, 2011.