Except in cities of the first and second class, the chief, superintendent or commissioner of police and other ranking officers in a political subdivision of the Commonwealth who have been removed from bargaining units under the act of June 24, 1968 (P.L.237, No. 111), referred to as the Policemen and Firemen Collective Bargaining Act,¹ by rulings of the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board shall receive not less than the same dollar increase including fringe benefits excluding overtime and festive holiday pay as received by the highest ranking police officer participating in the bargaining unit.