Oneida County and sheriff’s office reach collective-bargaining agreement

UTICA, N.Y. — Oneida County has reached a collective bargaining agreement with the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office and Police Benevolent Association, Inc. (PBA) that includes pay increases and an expansion of health insurance for retirees, Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente, Jr. announced in a press release. “I’m very pleased that we came to an agreement that is advantageous to our employees and our taxpayers,” Picente said in the release. “I believe this contract is fair to all sides involved. It gives the valued members of the sheriff’s office road patrol unit and our 911 center employees the compensation and benefits they deserve for keeping this community safe.” The eight-year agreement covers January 1, 2021, through December 31, 2028, and includes the implementation of a new wage scale and additional annual increases and an increase to shift differential, field training officer, cell phone, and SWAT team pay. There will be one-time lump sum payments, an increase in meal and uniform allowance and reimbursement, and an expansion of retiree health insurance coverage. “This is a great day for the road patrol division of the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office,” Sheriff Robert Maciol said, adding the new contract will help the county attract and retain deputies. Negotiations began in 2021 before proceeding to interest arbitration. That was withdrawn and concluded with the voluntary agreement. PBA membership, which includes the road patrol division and the 911 center, approved the agreement on June 10 with a vote of 107-2. The Oneida County Board of Legislators approved the agreement at a meeting June 12. The county’s negotiation team included Picente, Maciol, Oneida County Attorney Amanda Cortese-Kolasz, and attorney James Roemer.