Lower Merion approves pay increase for its non-unionized employees

LOWER MERION – Lower Merion officially approved a pay increase for its non-union workers to match the annual pay increase it gives to its much larger unionized workforce. At the same meeting, a pay increase was also approved for the township’s police management.

As part of its consent agenda during its final meeting of 2025, the Lower Merion Board of Commissioners approved a 3.5% pay increase for its non-unionized employees. The pay increase coincides with the township’s policy of matching the pay increases of its non-union employees with those of its contracted union employees.

“The 2026 collective bargaining agreement calls for a Workers Association pay increase of 3.5% on January 1, 2026. There are 62 non-union positions (excluding police management, Township Manager and Township Secretary) across the Township’s various departments. Confirmation of the pay increase for the Township Manager and Township Secretary is approved in a subsequent Board action after performance evaluation,” according to an issues briefing from the township staff to the commissioners.

Two years ago, the township approved contracts with its two unions. Those two unions are with the police department through the Fraternal Order of Police and the Lower Merion Township Workers Association.

According to township officials, money for the increase is incorporated into the township’s 2026 budget, matching the 3.5% Workers Association pay increase for the non-union employees. Over the past 12 years, the township has approved non-union wage increases at least at the same level as the Lower Merion Township Workers Association.

“As detailed in the Budget Message, there are funds incorporated into the Proposed 2026 Budget that would match the 3.5% Workers Association pay increase for non-union positions. The collective cost of the wage increase for this group of non-union employees from 2025 levels total approximately $235,000 across all funds. Each one half of one percent (0.5%) of an additional wage increase or decrease equates to roughly $34,000 for this group of non-union employees. The cost includes the continued phase in of the non-union compensation/classification plan with performance related pay step as previously approved by the Board of Commissioners,” according to the issues briefing.

Most of the Lower Merion Police Department is represented by the Fraternal Order of Police union. However, the eight management staff members do not. Like its other non-unionized employees, Lower Merion also increases police management pay by the same amount.

“The FOP (Fraternal Order of Police) union is scheduled to receive a wage increase of 3.5% in 2026, which is the same as the Workers Association employees. There are eight Police Management positions that supervise and direct the officers of the Lower Merion Police Department,” according to a staff memo.

According to township officials, the money has been incorporated into the 2026 Budget to cover the increase and match the FOP employees’ pay. Each one-half of one percent of an additional wage increase or decrease equates to roughly $7,500 for this group of non-union employees.