07-30-2009, 02:20 PM
BROOKSVILLE — Hoping to avoid layoffs amid a budget crunch at the Hernando County Sheriff's Office, deputies have agreed to forgo raises.
In voting that concluded Wednesday night, the deputies' union okayed a new contract that includes a provision to give up increases for the 2009-10 budget year. Deputy Stephen Klapka, president of the union, said the tally was 41-29 in favor of approving the new deal.
"We don't want anyone to lose jobs," Klapka said. "The sheriff has been upfront with us, and we know the state of the economy."
Citing lean economic times, the Sheriff's Office had already resolved not to give raises — merit, cost-of-living or longevity — to its nearly 400 employees this year.
So in essence, the union's vote on Tuesday and Wednesday was a referendum on whether its members agreed with the department's new stance. Fewer than half of the union's 165 members cast ballots.
"All in all, this is the best thing for us," Klapka said. "We were expecting this kind of vote."
The three-year deal will allow the union to reopen bargaining for the raises next year. The Sheriff's Office has also agreed to continue to cover health insurance for the deputies.
Chief Deputy Michael Hensley, who handled negotiations for the Sheriff's Office, said department leadership appreciated the gesture from the union. But given the current economic struggles throughout the county, he said, the choice was clear.
"Things are bad, but they could have been a lot worse," Hensley said. "There's a big difference between not getting a pay raise and being laid off."
Calling the vote "historic and unprecedented," Hensley said he understands the concerns of the 29 deputies — and others — who wanted to preserve their raises.
"These guys are husbands, fathers and providers, and they have bills to pay. Times are tough out there," said Hensley, whose Sept. 1 retirement will save the department more than $100,000.
It was not immediately clear how much savings the department would realize by not paying raises this year. But the department's 17-step pay scale for deputies starts at $39,401 a year and runs up to $58,491.
The union vote was tallied a day after Sheriff Richard Nugent warned county commissioners about possible consequences if his department is forced to slash $2 million from its budget.
Under his proposed spending plan, Nugent has said the department could lose as many as 27 sworn positions, four non-sworn positions and 12 part-time positions. He also said the Sheriff's Office might have to end the in-school drug awareness program DARE, and a similar program to keep children out of gangs.
However, Klapka said he was confident no deputies would lose their jobs, despite the cuts. He noted that the DARE officers could be reassigned within the department and that, unlike non-sworn employees, deputies could perform a range of duties.
"I'm going to fight for the deputies and union members," Klapka said. "The main thing we're here for is public safety."
http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/article1023190.ece
In voting that concluded Wednesday night, the deputies' union okayed a new contract that includes a provision to give up increases for the 2009-10 budget year. Deputy Stephen Klapka, president of the union, said the tally was 41-29 in favor of approving the new deal.
"We don't want anyone to lose jobs," Klapka said. "The sheriff has been upfront with us, and we know the state of the economy."
Citing lean economic times, the Sheriff's Office had already resolved not to give raises — merit, cost-of-living or longevity — to its nearly 400 employees this year.
So in essence, the union's vote on Tuesday and Wednesday was a referendum on whether its members agreed with the department's new stance. Fewer than half of the union's 165 members cast ballots.
"All in all, this is the best thing for us," Klapka said. "We were expecting this kind of vote."
The three-year deal will allow the union to reopen bargaining for the raises next year. The Sheriff's Office has also agreed to continue to cover health insurance for the deputies.
Chief Deputy Michael Hensley, who handled negotiations for the Sheriff's Office, said department leadership appreciated the gesture from the union. But given the current economic struggles throughout the county, he said, the choice was clear.
"Things are bad, but they could have been a lot worse," Hensley said. "There's a big difference between not getting a pay raise and being laid off."
Calling the vote "historic and unprecedented," Hensley said he understands the concerns of the 29 deputies — and others — who wanted to preserve their raises.
"These guys are husbands, fathers and providers, and they have bills to pay. Times are tough out there," said Hensley, whose Sept. 1 retirement will save the department more than $100,000.
It was not immediately clear how much savings the department would realize by not paying raises this year. But the department's 17-step pay scale for deputies starts at $39,401 a year and runs up to $58,491.
The union vote was tallied a day after Sheriff Richard Nugent warned county commissioners about possible consequences if his department is forced to slash $2 million from its budget.
Under his proposed spending plan, Nugent has said the department could lose as many as 27 sworn positions, four non-sworn positions and 12 part-time positions. He also said the Sheriff's Office might have to end the in-school drug awareness program DARE, and a similar program to keep children out of gangs.
However, Klapka said he was confident no deputies would lose their jobs, despite the cuts. He noted that the DARE officers could be reassigned within the department and that, unlike non-sworn employees, deputies could perform a range of duties.
"I'm going to fight for the deputies and union members," Klapka said. "The main thing we're here for is public safety."
http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/article1023190.ece