Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez on Friday said he will veto a commission vote defeating a proposal that would have required four county unions to contribute five percent more of their salaries for health benefits.
Miami-Dade Commissioners defeated the proposal by a 7-6 vote Thursday night.
Officers have already conceded over $50 million in benefits, such as overtime, to prevent layoffs. For some officers that meant 13 percent cuts.
Gimenez told NBC Miami he was disgusted with commissioners, and he said he will send them a memo later Friday to tell them he will veto the vote. It will take two-thirds of the commission to override the veto, which delay possible layoffs until the matter is resolved. Meanwhile, the county deficit continues to grow.
"I think the actions of the commission were irresponsible. They buckled under pressure, and they know when they we lowered property taxes last year it would take concessions," Gimenez said. "I am a little bit upset about it. I will issue a veto message on all four and this will come back up on the 24th."
"I guess he has the right as mayor to veto. Certainly, the commission has the right to override," Rivera said. "He doesn't mind playing with people ...He created this problem and now here he is not knowing how to deal with it."
Rivera added that the PBA is taking the situation "one step at a time."
"The commission, I think, spoke very clearly," he said. "Crime in this community is on the upswing. Property crime is going up. Layoffs is the last thing the mayor should be considering."
The PBA, Government Supervisors Association of Florida and two other unions would have been affected by the county's decision.
The county has tentatively agreed on new contracts with other unions, including those representing solid waste employees and water and sewer employees. They will vote on their new contracts later this month.
