Seattle pays salary for police union leader

SEATTLE — The city of Seattle pays the salary for a man who works full time as the leader of the police union.

The Seattle Times reported no other city employee union leader receives a full-time city salary.

Sgt. Rich O’Neill receives $125,000 a year in salary and benefits as president of the Seattle Police Officers Guild, which represents 1,250 officers and sergeants. They have been working without a contract since 2010 and negotiations on a new agreement are underway.

O’Neill met Tuesday with Councilman Bruce Harrell who heads the council’s public safety committee. Harrell said O’Neill was upset that his salary could be a sticking point.

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Information from: The Seattle Times, http://www.seattletimes.com

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