Police Union Votes "Hell Yes" to City Deal
Union approves deal to save over 100 cop jobs
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Miami police officers get to keep their jobs.
One ballot from a rookie cop on the chopping block summed up the secret vote on a deal between Miami police and the city commission.
"Hell yes."
The police union announced Monday that its members have approved a deal that will avoid layoffs for cops and save the city $8.4 million. Somehow, 62 people voted "no" against the package that would help avoid massive layoffs. Over 500 officers concerned with keeping their jobs voted yes.
Under the new agreement, cops won't get new police cars for at least a year and they lose three holiday pay days.
The biggest concession for police was the banking policy, which allowed cops to save holiday and vacation days and cash them in later, adding tens of thousands of dollars to some officers' pay.
In return for the compromise, the Miami PD gets to keep 106 jobs that would have otherwise been budget cut casualties.
But even the new police deal doesn't solve all of the Magic City's financial problems. Time is running out on the city to balance its 2009-2010 budget, which is still $118 million in the red.
Mayor Manny Diaz, who is committed to a $511 million budget, has proposed major cuts and layoffs to non-union employees to make up the gap and no matter what happens, citizens can expect less services despite paying about the same property taxes.
Posted Monday, Sep 28, 2009 - 6:13 PM EST
