Labor talks end with Sioux Falls cops, firefighters, civil servants getting raises

Fraternal Order of Police come away from negotiations with largest hike over two-year contract period

Mayor Paul TenHaken is poised to maintain his perfect record in appeasing a trio of labor groups who represent hundreds of Sioux Falls city employees, police officers and firefighters.

City Hall has reached agreements with the Sioux Falls Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), the Local 814 of the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) and the Local 519 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) that call for raises between 3.5 and 6.5 percent through the next two years.

“We’ve been strategically making changes to invest in our employees, making sure we have competitive wages and benefits and are keeping up with inflation,” Sioux Falls Human Resources Director Bill O’Toole told The Dakota Scout Tuesday before city councilors were scheduled to formally adopt the new, two-year contract terms with each of the three unions.

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