City reaches tentative police, fire deal

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - The city of Indianapolis and local police and firefighters have reached a tentative agreement to change salary and benefits for 2013, the city announced Tuesday afternoon.

Under the new agreement with the union, police and firefighters will see a 3 percent increase in salary starting July 1, 2013. Out-of-pocket insurance costs will be frozen until the same date.

Although the police and fire contracts run through Dec. 31, 2014, the contract stipulates that salary and benefits can be re-opened for bargaining.

“The City took the very difficult but necessary step of reopening the salary and benefit sections of these contracts due to the severe strains on the city’s current budget,” said Mayor Greg Ballard in a news release.  “I want to personally thank the members of my team and the FOP and Local 416 who bargained in good faith and reached this new agreement in a timely and responsible manner.”

The unions still need to ratify the agreement.