The Panama City Police Department and union officials are still hard at work negotiating a contract.

This past February, officers voted to bring in the Teamsters Union 9-91 to represent them in negotiations with the city.

Since March, the two sides have been working on a first year contract. Last month, the union proposed over one-million -dollars in wages and benefits over the next three years.

But city officials said they didn't have any money for wage increases. Union members have come down from that one-million dollar number and are waiting for a response from the city.

Teamsters wants the officers salaries to be competitive with other markets.
Right now, the starting pay for Panama City officers is a little over $32,000.

Teamsters representatives say that is not a living wage. Both sides have already tentatively agreed on most non-economic issues. The next negotiating session will be held on December 10th.