There are those who say the response by outgoing Mayor Bill de Blasio to the Black Lives Matter protests of June 2020 defined his time in office. In attempting to meet the moment, while he refused then President Donald Trump’s proposal to send in the National Guard to quash the protests, he was criticized by some for not reigning in the NYPD when, in some instances, officers responded to the protests with violence. On the other hand, he was also criticized by others within the agency who believed he did not always have their backs.

On Thursday, Dec. 30, the mayor, whose official walkout ceremony took place the same day, offered what some may feel was a parting gift to at least some in law enforcement, when he announced a tentative contract agreement with the Detectives’ Endowment Association (DEA). Under the agreement, over 5,000 NYPD employees will receive wage increases consistent with the uniformed pattern (in line with the employee’s rank).

In the context of the announcement, de Blasio said, “NYPD Detectives work tirelessly to keep us safe, and this agreement honors that work by raising wages for 5,000 employees, consistent with our uniformed pattern.” He added, “Eight years ago, the entire city workforce was working without contracts. Over two rounds of bargaining, I am proud to have partnered with labor to reach fair agreements that recognize the hard work of city employees.”

We came to office to end the tale of two cities but also to tell the tale of a new city. We have accomplished so much together, and it happened because of the passion of the people who call our city home. pic.twitter.com/wlOCKPuZjJ

— Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) December 31, 2021

Commissioner of labor relations, Renee Campion, said she was also proud to announce the deal was reached working side by side with DEA president, Paul DiGiacomo. “Every single New Yorker depends on the safety that DEA members help to provide, and this deal gives equitable, pattern-conforming increases to the detectives doing this essential work,” she said.

For his part, DiGiacomo said DEA members overwhelming agreed that their months of negotiations achieved the result they wanted: pay increases and a contract of which they could be proud.

DE BLASIO: Mayor Bill de Blasio had a message for young people as he ended his final press briefing. pic.twitter.com/bfZRmzeSAT

— Forbes (@Forbes) December 31, 2021

The term of the agreement is April 1, 2019 through May 31, 2022, including a contract extension of two months. The wage increases will constitute 7.95 percent over three years, following the pattern of those negotiated with other uniformed unions as follows:

·         4/1/2019: 2.25 percent

·         4/1/2020: 2.50 percent

·         4/1/2021: 3.00 percent

In addition, the agreement includes a recognition of the NYPD’s right to equip detectives with body-worn cameras, and includes health care savings agreed with the Municipal Labor Committee. The cost of the settlement in the current fiscal year, including retroactive payments going back to April 2019, is approximately $150 million, and has already been funded, according to the mayor’s office.

The agreement is contingent upon the terms being ratified by DEA membership. With this latest agreement, City officials say the City has reached pattern-conforming contract agreements for the current round of bargaining with approximately 93 percent of its unionized workforce.