Sept 14th, 2006 FOP Counter Proposal

This is really getting depressing. By the time the city opens for business on Tuesday, it will be October 3rd. Guess we don't have a contract.

Please at least update us Joe, even if there isn't much new. Alot of rumors are floating from the meeting the other day, such as lower percentage in the raise and lower Cola, which almost didn't even happen.

Personally, I feel we need to stick to our guns for a decent percentage raise. We asked for 21% over three years and that only puts us AVERAGE with others. If we lower it, then we will here three years from now saying "we are in last place in every category." Heck, probably in two years! Enough is enough.

This is the time for us to get a contract that WE ALL deserve and have deserved in years past.

You guys on the board are working hard, but PLEASE don't give up or give in! Some of us still enjoy working at PPD and don't plan on leaving or can't.

Sorry for not updating recently but I was out of town this week and just got back
As far as Monday was concerned, the Labor Board was in a 8 hour negotiating session
A total of 7 offers by both sides were presented
The meeting ended on a positive note with the citys 4th offer on the table
The citys number crunchers and pension actuary have to look at specifics
Both sides are still committed to working to finalize the best deal possible
Your Labor Board in no way shape or form will accept a sub standard contract......period!!!! So no worries there
As far as specifics, at this point we do not want to put it out to the membership just yet....reason being is that we have some negotiating things that still need to be done
Since October 1 is now upon us....YES, you will be working without a new contract but WILL be working under the OLD contract
Essentially what that means is that any benefits you recieve now will continue until the new contract is signed. The step raises are still in effect. The only raises that are not in effect is the customary, October 1st merit increases. Everything else is in effect...ie: longevity, etc.
We still have faith that we will get this done.
We will be putting out more specific info this week as far as any counter offers, etc

Is it true that Lauderhill just got their contract with $69,000 at 7 years. 3% Cola and full medical insurance for individual after retirement???? If it is, I guess Lauderhill is in a whole new light. Are we taking their place now?

Didn't the mayor make a comment about Lauderhill when we first started negotiating?

UPDATE

As of today, we still have not received a counter offer back from the city from last Mondays 8 hour session
As such, we are still anxiously awaiting their reply and what THEY....the city would like to do
The ball is totally in their court....
We...and you...the members have been patient since we started this process in April/2006
We know it sucks working without a contract and getting our cost of living raises!!!!
The Labor Board will notify you ASAP if any info is received and what our PLAN OF ACTION is going to be
Please stay committed and willing to help if the situation arises

By the way.....
The actual comment was...."You wouldnt want to work in Lauderhill...would you??? Its a priviledge to work in Plantation"

Some priviledge....
Lowest pay & benefits, one of the highest pension contributions, have to buy your own equipment, substandard issued equipment, no computers, and the list goes on and on

From the Miami Herald


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Posted on Thu, Oct. 05, 2006


MIAMI
Officers to picket Carnival Center's opening
Frustrated with contract negotiations, Miami police officers with the Fraternal Order of Police will stage a protest during tonight's opening of the Carnival Center for the Performing Arts.
BY DAVID OVALLE
dovalle@MiamiHerald.com

Miami police officers will step up their protests over stalled contract negotiations by picketing tonight's grand opening of the Carnival Center for the Performing Arts.

The department's Fraternal Order of Police maintains that pay is so low that many officers are taking jobs elsewhere, leaving too many vacancies and endangering public safety.

Officers also worry that a proposed move to the state pension system may mean less benefits for future retirees.

WEEK OF PROTESTS

The protest comes about a week after hundreds of officers and supporters marched on Miami City Hall. A few days before that, union supporters picketed outside a conference of elected officials sponsored by Miami Mayor Manny Diaz.

Union president Armando Aguilar said the protest is necessary because the city is unwilling to compromise. The performing arts center is a valid venue for the protest, he said, because more police manpower will be required to protect the additional people drawn to the area.

''It's not fair to the police department,'' Aguilar said.

Mayor Diaz blasted the union for its decision to picket the center's opening.

`INAPPROPRIATE'

''I think it's totally inappropriate. It's going to be a historic night in the history of South Florida,'' Diaz said. ``I just think it sends a wrong message.''

When it comes to negotiations, Diaz stressed, the union and the city ''are on much more common ground'' than many think.

Officers will protest between 5 and 8 p.m.

Meanwhile, the department itself will be responsible for making sure traffic flows around the Carnival Center.

The protest already has been incorporated into plans for security and traffic duty, a Miami police spokesman said.