New contracts will give larger raises to Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office workers
By Marie Weidmayer, Bangor Daily News Staff
Unionized workers in the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office are guaranteed larger raises for the next two years under new union contracts.
Members of the two unions in the sheriff’s office will receive a 3.5 percent raise in 2024 and 2025, followed by a 4 percent raise in 2025, according to the contracts signed March 19 during a Penobscot County Commissioners meeting.
One contract is for supervisors within the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office, whose contract expired Dec. 31. The other contract is for patrol deputies and other line employees. The new contracts expire Dec. 31, 2026.
Three years of cost of living raises are guaranteed for supervisors and patrol union members. Supervisors received a 2 percent raise in 2021 and 2022 and a 2.5 percent raise in 2023, according to the old contract.
“It’s been a long negotiation process, but I’m glad that we are finally here at the table today,” Deputy County Administrator Michelle LaBree said
Another change in the contracts was moving to a higher deductible health plan, LaBree said. The county will fully fund the deductible for the first two years through health savings accounts, and do 50 percent for the third year.
The weekly paycheck deductions for healthcare will be smaller, LaBree said.
Both contracts give one week of paid parental leave for the birth or adoption of a child. People can request additional unpaid leave, for parental leave or for other medical reasons, according to the contracts. The county also follows the Family Medical Leave Act.
Suspensions, corrective probation and demotions can be removed from an employee’s personnel file after five years, according to both contracts. A written reprimand is removed after three years, but an employee can request removal after two years. An early removal must be approved by the sheriff.
The contract for Penobscot County corrections officers, who are employed by the jail, expires on Dec. 31.