Miami-Dade County administrators were meeting with police union representatives Tuesday at a public contract negotiation session to try to hammer out a deal to keep 90 officers on the force.
Dozens of officers descended on the meeting at County Hall, where the county is looking to trim 21 percent in police salary and benefits.
Several officers crowded the 18th floor room wearing T-shirts with the words "We Fight What You Fear," and holding signs reading "End Pension Cuts."
Five negotiators sat on the county side of the table while six sat on the police union's. The sides said many of the money issues would be taken up at another meeting on Friday.
"[This is] a work in progress and it's only a beginning," PBA President John Rivera said.
Officer Julia Madrigal, who just switched to Miami-Dade from Miami Gardens Police, said said she doesn't know how she will support her child.
"Ninety families without jobs. Ninety families that cannot support a home. I am a single mom, and how am I going to support my daughter?" Madrigal said.
With massive budget shortfalls in the county, Mayor Carlos Gimenez has threatened to lay off 90 officers if a new contract is not reached by Nov. 1.
Gimenez needs to slash some $239 million from the county's budget. Tuesday's meeting had been scheduled for last week but was postponed.
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"I am a 27-year veteran and I am here in support of the young officers that are going to be put on the street by this mayor," said Luis Rodriguez.
Meanwhile, Rivera said officers want to same kind of deal as the one firefighters got. The South Florida Sun Sentinel reported that the union avoided big cuts. That agreement includes overtime reductions and other cost-cutting methods, the newspaper reported.
"If we can get close to where the firefighters are, I think that we would be good," Rivera said.
The two sides will meet again on Friday at 9 a.m. to continue negotiations.
