METRO POLICE RAISES

It is interesting to note that Mayor Abramson has once again decided he did not have to honor the contractual agreement with the FOP in a timely manner.

The new FOP contract was ratified in March by a slim margin of 74 votes. Part of that contractual agreement included a small raise and retroactive back pay from July of 2007. As of today there has been no back pay nor have the raises shown up on the officers checks.

There have been many excuses given over the last week such as a People soft problem, the automated software currently used by the administration, and one they spent much money on and touted how great the program is.

If the program is that great surely it would be an easy step to get this money to the officers in good faith? If he cannot fund it then why contractually agree to the retro pay and raises?

This issue was presented to the Metro Council during budget hearings on June 18, 2008 by FOP President John McGuire and it seemed the few Council members present were surprised by this info as well.

FOP President McGuire did a good job laying out the concerns of officers and I personally agree with their frustration. Contract negotiations are supposed to be in good faith and agreements are supposed to be adhered to as soon as possible and in good faith as well. In my experience in contract agreements never have I experienced such a waiting period for monies owed.

Chief White should have asked these questions long ago on behalf of the officers and Mayor Abramson should have done the right thing and honored the contract agreement expeditiously.

It did not take long after the contract agreement for the Mayor to institute a "gas tax" for officers that use their vehicles to get to off duty jobs at $60 a month. On top of that all officers will now be required to pay $30 a month for the privilege of having a take home car

Consider this the average "raise" equates to roughly $45 monthly. With the above fees noted the officers actually receive a negative raise in real wages.

Interesting to say the least how quickly the Mayor has found a way to pay for the raises by charging the officers with new added costs for being an officer.

Makes you wonder why anyone would want that job doesn't it?

Your thoughts?