Sheriff’s union has new tentative labor contract with Onondaga County

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Onondaga County Deputy Sheriff’s Police Association (OCSPA) has a tentative new labor contract with the Onondaga County government. The Onondaga County Legislature will vote to finalize the deal in December, according to the county’s Nov. 19 announcement. The four-year pact includes a wage increase of 3 percent per year as well as an adjusted salary structure for 2026, the office of Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon said in its announcement. The labor agreement addresses topics such as workday holiday premiums, longevity premiums, and required on-call occurrences premiums. OCSPA came to the county executive and his team, hoping to obtain a contract that solved three areas of concern, Bill June, president of the OCSPA union, said. “We wanted a contract that allowed us to recruit the best potential candidates, we wanted to have a contract that helped us retain Deputies beyond their potential 20-year retirement, and we wanted our Deputies to earn a wage that is fair and equitable compared to the other agencies within Onondaga County,” June said. “Executive McMahon and his team were able to meet all our objectives and then some. The Deputies, Sergeants, and Lieutenants of OCSPA want to thank Executive McMahon and his team for supporting us and giving us the tools and the contract we need to continue to meet our goals and objectives.” The four-year agreement starts retroactively to Jan. 1, 2025 and continues through Dec. 31, 2028. Speaking during a media availability on Nov. 19, McMahon called the tentative labor contract a “really big win for us.” “Our police officers, as we know, across the country were having challenges recruiting into these ranks and certainly we think we’ve come to an agreement that will help (A) recognize the unique sacrifices of these individuals, these men and women, and (B) help us retain [recruits],” McMahon said. “Public safety is really the number one responsibility of this government and this helps us tremendously.” McMahon congratulated June on a successful negotiation with the county’s team. CNYBJ monitored the McMahon availability on the Onondaga County Executive Office YouTube channel. Onondaga County Sheriff Toby Shelley called it more than a contract; it is a “recognition of the dedication, professionalism, and sacrifice our deputies demonstrate every single day.” “The men and women of the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office are among the most highly trained and premier law enforcement professionals in New York State, and they deserve to be compensated in a way that reflects their commitment to this community,” Shelley said in the county’s announcement. “I am immensely proud of the work they do, and grateful to everyone who helped make this agreement a reality.”