Unions pitch pay, benefits ahead of contract negotiations

Several unions for Columbia city workers made their pitches Monday night for upcoming contract negotiations. They spoke to the city council ahead of budget talks this summer.

The Columbia Police Officers Association says it wants a written contract with the city outlining benefits. CPOA’s Executive Director Dale Reports also says officers who’ve worked for five, 10 and 15 years should get raises based on the midpoint salaries for officers in cities comparable to the size of Columbia.

The union rep for city laborers wants to see bus driver pay rise to $15 an hour.