Think about it said it the best. If you vote the contract down you will feel the wrath of the people making the 130,000 a year that is for sure. Do what is right for the department keep everyone on board. You only have 16 months and you are back at the table once again. The PBA nor does the department have any control over how the City spends there money NONE WHAT SO EVER. So all you f-ing re-tards need to give that part a rest. If the City wants a canal downtown they will have a canal downtown. If the city wants to lay off 40 officers they will lay off 40 officers. If you vote the contrat down you will for sure see how powerless the union really is. PBA is working for you rather you choose to believe it or not. But in the end the City has all power. BELIEVE IT!!!!! Cut your looses now and move on. If think you can find a better job somewhere else in the state go give it a shot...
ok SARGE thanks again for one of your illustrious pep talks..you are a whore
Think about it wrote:Considering the fact that the majority of our senior officers are lazy, uneducated people exactly what greener pastures do you think they are going to? Last time I checked very few agencies are hiring in Florida, and where else can the senior officers make 70,000 grand a year for just showing up to work? Vote yes on the contract to save everyone. We are a family, and need to stick together. If you were low person would you want the senior officers to force you out? Have a HEART!
I love this one the most. I hope all the senior officers (that will have the majority of the vote by the way) read this and find out exactly how the new officers feel about them. You might also want to educate yourself by looking at a contract before you speak of things you are obviously ignorant of. A STEP 10 officer makes $64,000.00 and it only took them surviving 10 years as an officer in Fort Myers to get there. Oh I'm sorry, "they just showed up" for 10 years. I hope all those lazy officers out there read this! Remember, hug your family and vote accordingly.
Naples city council votes to cut police wages 6 percent
Naples City Council voted 6-0 pay to reduce the city's police force salary's by 6 percent.
Councilwoman Teresa Heitmann was absent.
The decision means Naples employees covered by the union contract will see a salary decrease of 6 percent. The decision also eliminates step increases and holiday pay.
The city will now implement pay ranges for employees covered by the contract.
Council's decision will be in effect until the end of the fiscal year, or Sept. 30.
POSTED EARLIER
The public comment section of the hearing has is now open.
Mayor Bill Barnett has a large stack of speaker sheets in front of him, and there are dozens of police employees and supporters in city council chambers.
"They gladly fight for you, me and your family. They take the risks, and they also do things to improve the community," said Joe Whitehead, former president of the police union and a retired Naples police officer. "Most people run from the sounds of gun fire. These folks run into it."
POSTED EARLIER
The attorney representing the Naples police department kicked off this morning's impasse hearing.
John Fry, general counsel for the Fraternal Order of Police, said Monday his membership was willing to accept a wage freeze. The membership was also confused as to why the city was suggesting a 6 percent wage decrease.
The city has recommended a 6 percent wage reduction and the elimination of the step increase.
A step increase is given based on years of experience, while a raise is given across the board.
“Six percent plus 4 percent equals 10 percent, and bye-bye,” Fry said of the city's proposal. “This is not a referendum on whether or not to freeze their pay, which they're willing to do, it's a referendum on public safety.”
The union has said it would be willing to accept a wage freeze as a way to reduce labor costs.
The city and union reached an impasse in January after six months of negotiations. Compensation packages — specifically wages — were the main sticking point.
The two sides in April met with a special magistrate, who later recommended the city freeze salaries, eliminate the holiday bonus pay and eliminate education pay.
The city of Naples rejected the non-binding recommendation, which paved the way for today's impasse hearing.
Roger Reinke, the assistant city manager and the city's chief negotiator, said the city is standing by its 6 percent decrease request.
Property values are declining. City revenue is declining. The wage increases in fiscal 2008-2009 were too high, Reinke said. "You have a duty to the taxpayers, and they should not pay over the market price for labor," he said.
Human Resources Director Denise Perez said the city's police department has not lost as many employees as the Collier County Sheriff's Office as the union has said. Perez said the city lost two police employees in fiscal 2005.
News Flash 22 wrote:I love how the moron who posted the above article about Naples PD taking their pay cut, conveniently left out the fact that a starting officer there makes $54K plus STARTING. Yes its rough anywhere but sure thats easier to swallow when your starting out making $14,000 a year more than an FMPD starting officer. Gee, 6 % of 54k, or 5.25 % PLUS insurance rape of $40k a year. Good job rookies, by the time you guys pay into your retirement every year I hope you enjoying making $28,000 a year and get sh*t equipment. Then again, I guess you can enjoy that now until you still get laid off.....what an idiot.
True, your 100% correct. But they said we would not get laid off, I trust them. Hey they are getting us new badges, thats something to look foward to.
Ohhhh Rookie # 1 you have much to learn in this world. There is your first lesson alone, trust no one, especially higher-ups. I hope you have all the faith in the world that you won't get laid off because I hate to be the one to say the infamous words : " I told you so ". You'll see soon, of course they are not going to tell you that you might still be laid off. Morale would plummet from the ZERO score that its currently on now down into the negative's. Keep hoping grasshopper....wishful thinking is always good
News Flash 22 wrote:I love how the moron who posted the above article about Naples PD taking their pay cut, conveniently left out the fact that a starting officer there makes $54K plus STARTING. Yes its rough anywhere but sure thats easier to swallow when your starting out making $14,000 a year more than an FMPD starting officer. Gee, 6 % of 54k, or 5.25 % PLUS insurance rape of $40k a year. Good job rookies, by the time you guys pay into your retirement every year I hope you enjoying making $28,000 a year and get sh*t equipment. Then again, I guess you can enjoy that now until you still get laid off.....what an idiot.
the cost of living is higher in Collier county than in Lee county, so $54k isn't as good as it sounds
July 1, 2010 will start Blue Flu Week at FMPD. We want to demonstrate to our beloved City Council what happens to a city of this magnitude when the police become Reactive instead of Proactive. To help us, Det. JL will be using some of that PBA Gym money to purchase 12 recliners and a 50 plasma TV to be placed in the classroom at Golfview Sub. We are going to model this room after the one at the Fire Department. We will also be installing a full kitchen and dining room table for you guys and girls who enjoy cooking and eating...and from looking around lately at some of you, I can tell this is your strong point.
There officers will meet after briefing and will work on a rotation on answering calls for service. Between calls, officers will return to Golfview where they can enjoy a workout in the gym, maybe take in a movie, read or just relax until they are dispatched to calls. Under no circumstances though, are officers to conduct any type of self initiated activity. This means no checking out with dangerous looking people on the streets, no traffic stops, self-initiated arrests, etc. I know for some of you this will be a hard habit to break, for others it will part of your normal routine at work.
This experiment will last for approximately one month. Anyone caught doing any self-initiated activity will be considered a Scab and will be given a blanket party after work. I'm guessing that after about a month of this, Fort Myers will look like a scene from Escape from New York. Except Snake Pliskin won't be here to save anyone's arses. Please join me while we honor our beloved city council and dedicate July 2010 as Blue Flu Month at FMPD.
I would like to thank everyone who voted Yes on the recent contract for making this possible.
For those who want facts, this is posted on LEOaffairs and is available on the Internet and through IUPA. viewtopic.php?f=44&t=80543
FHP Trooper on IUPA by Be Informed on 11/19/08 20:12:24
My name is Neil Mariotti and I have been a trooper with FHP since 1985. I started in Orange County and since 1987 I’ve been in the Palatka district of Troop G. When IUPA-FL Local 6000 was the collective bargaining unit for State Law Enforcement I was the FHP Board Member for FHP. I now serve as the Chairman of IUPA-FL Local 6000. I’ve been asked by IUPA to answer some questions about IUPA and its history as the SLEO bargaining unit.
To understand how bad things were before 2000, you have to have an understanding of our working conditions back then. Back then we worked a 28 day, 160 work period. ANY overtime that was earned in that period could be and was often off-set against ANY leave taken during that period. Even sick leave. When overtime was offered (ISLE) we had to work all of the 160 hours during the period! Any time off, even a sick day or family sick day meant you did not get your time and a half rate of pay if you work OT, just your flat pay rate. A good deal for the state, to say the least! Our holiday hours were another story. Think you earned that Christmas holiday? Maybe, unless you took ANY type of leave during that period. You called in sick? Well, don’t worry, we’ll use your Christmas holiday! That is just a few of the examples I can think of. IUPA change that through a new contract. We also used to be able to “bank” our holiday or as it’s called now our special comp. time. Come retirement time you could sell it back. Not under PBA. They negotiated that benefit away in the ‘90’s and sought nothing in return. IUPA took that case all the way to the Supreme Court in FL. to attempt to re-gain that benefit, but the Court ruled in favor of the state. Now we have a 240 cap on how much special comp. time we can bank thanks to the PBA.
IUPA’s biggest accomplishment has been in the area of the contract. Since 2000, IUPA held management to the Federal Fair Labor and Standards Act, they got rid of the 28 period. We now work a 40 hour work week. Now, you can plan your OT on just 5 work days, not 20! They made management adhere to the collective bargaining agreement! They were quick to file grievances and made management adhere to agreements.
On the subject of pay. .
In 2000 we received and 8% across the board pay increase in addition to a 3% retirement benefit buyback. In 2001, 2002 and 2003, we received cost of living adjustments. In 2004 we received a 5% across the board pay increase when everyone else in state government got a one-time $1,000.00 bonus! In 2006 we got a 3.6% cost of living increase.
IUPA sponsored and passed a patrol car insurance bill. It used to be if you hit a deer and totaled your car during off-duty employment, YOU could be held responsible for any monetary damages! Now, it’s covered! I know of a few troopers who “bought the car”! Now they don’t have that to worry about.
Ask yourself this, what unit is my management in favor of me electing? Ours was in favor of PBA even though by law members not in the collective bargaining are not supposed to show any favoritism to any unit. Did FHP management show support for PBA? You bet they did! Did that influence the vote of younger troopers who were not familiar with PBA? You figure it out.
In 2006 PBA challenged IUPA for control of the bargaining unit. In order to get votes they used then Col. Christopher Knight to push for troopers to vote for then in blatant disregard for Florida law. He would use any gathering of troopers in Tallahassee or in the field to “encourage” them to vote for PBA. PBA also promised that if voted in they would push for a separate bargaining unit for FHP. The Colonel and PBA said that if it came through, all our pay problems would be solved since the other agencies would no longer be “dragging us down.” They then promised that after the separate unit was established we would be able to vote on who we wanted to represent us. Well, the units passed and guess what? PBA wrote the bill so THEY would be our bargaining agent for the next three years. So much for us being able to decide. Col. Knight later resigned in disgrace when it was discovered he made up documents during an FDLE investigation in the firing of a trooper.
Keeping PBA would be like sentencing yourself to more of the same. Investigate and learn.
Neil Mariotti Chairman, IUPA Local 6000 AFL-CIO Be Informed
For those who want facts, this is posted on LEOaffairs and is available on the Internet and through IUPA. viewtopic.php?f=44&t=80543
FHP Trooper on IUPA by Be Informed on 11/19/08 20:12:24
My name is Neil Mariotti and I have been a trooper with FHP since 1985. I started in Orange County and since 1987 I’ve been in the Palatka district of Troop G. When IUPA-FL Local 6000 was the collective bargaining unit for State Law Enforcement I was the FHP Board Member for FHP. I now serve as the Chairman of IUPA-FL Local 6000. I’ve been asked by IUPA to answer some questions about IUPA and its history as the SLEO bargaining unit.
To understand how bad things were before 2000, you have to have an understanding of our working conditions back then. Back then we worked a 28 day, 160 work period. ANY overtime that was earned in that period could be and was often off-set against ANY leave taken during that period. Even sick leave. When overtime was offered (ISLE) we had to work all of the 160 hours during the period! Any time off, even a sick day or family sick day meant you did not get your time and a half rate of pay if you work OT, just your flat pay rate. A good deal for the state, to say the least! Our holiday hours were another story. Think you earned that Christmas holiday? Maybe, unless you took ANY type of leave during that period. You called in sick? Well, don’t worry, we’ll use your Christmas holiday! That is just a few of the examples I can think of. IUPA change that through a new contract. We also used to be able to “bank” our holiday or as it’s called now our special comp. time. Come retirement time you could sell it back. Not under PBA. They negotiated that benefit away in the ‘90’s and sought nothing in return. IUPA took that case all the way to the Supreme Court in FL. to attempt to re-gain that benefit, but the Court ruled in favor of the state. Now we have a 240 cap on how much special comp. time we can bank thanks to the PBA.
IUPA’s biggest accomplishment has been in the area of the contract. Since 2000, IUPA held management to the Federal Fair Labor and Standards Act, they got rid of the 28 period. We now work a 40 hour work week. Now, you can plan your OT on just 5 work days, not 20! They made management adhere to the collective bargaining agreement! They were quick to file grievances and made management adhere to agreements.
On the subject of pay. .
In 2000 we received and 8% across the board pay increase in addition to a 3% retirement benefit buyback. In 2001, 2002 and 2003, we received cost of living adjustments. In 2004 we received a 5% across the board pay increase when everyone else in state government got a one-time $1,000.00 bonus! In 2006 we got a 3.6% cost of living increase.
IUPA sponsored and passed a patrol car insurance bill. It used to be if you hit a deer and totaled your car during off-duty employment, YOU could be held responsible for any monetary damages! Now, it’s covered! I know of a few troopers who “bought the car”! Now they don’t have that to worry about.
Ask yourself this, what unit is my management in favor of me electing? Ours was in favor of PBA even though by law members not in the collective bargaining are not supposed to show any favoritism to any unit. Did FHP management show support for PBA? You bet they did! Did that influence the vote of younger troopers who were not familiar with PBA? You figure it out.
In 2006 PBA challenged IUPA for control of the bargaining unit. In order to get votes they used then Col. Christopher Knight to push for troopers to vote for then in blatant disregard for Florida law. He would use any gathering of troopers in Tallahassee or in the field to “encourage” them to vote for PBA. PBA also promised that if voted in they would push for a separate bargaining unit for FHP. The Colonel and PBA said that if it came through, all our pay problems would be solved since the other agencies would no longer be “dragging us down.” They then promised that after the separate unit was established we would be able to vote on who we wanted to represent us. Well, the units passed and guess what? PBA wrote the bill so THEY would be our bargaining agent for the next three years. So much for us being able to decide. Col. Knight later resigned in disgrace when it was discovered he made up documents during an FDLE investigation in the firing of a trooper.
Keeping PBA would be like sentencing yourself to more of the same. Investigate and learn.
Neil Mariotti Chairman, IUPA Local 6000 AFL-CIO Be Informed
Maybe we should forfeit our PBA dues for a month and invite Trooper Mariotti to FT MYERS for an IUPA seminar, lets see we can have it down at the heart of THE RIVER DISTRICT/AMTEL HOTEL grand conference room, we can lodge him their for the weekend, give him some play money to enjoy the RIVER DISTRICTS ENTERTAINMENT AND NIGHTLIFE (club neo,level cigar bar,and finish the night off with a slice at downtown pizza), I really think he would enjoy HIP HOP NIGHT so he can observe how our agency handles the closing of downtown and the behavior of the locals, this would be great..iI think we need to get the wheels rolling on this one
