Raise??

Everyone keeps referring to the 4.5%,4%,4% as a "raise" as compensation for doing a good job and reducing the crime rate. It is not. It is a cost of living raise. It is even listed as that on the handout given to us by the PBA.The current cost of living increase is approx 3.9% per year, so our actual raise for reducing the crime rate is .6%, .1%, .1%.

MPO's don't get a step increase, this cost of living raise is all we get and it barely covers the cost of living. We can do alot better than this. Voting "no" doesn't hurt us. We still get paid. Let's hold out and get what we deserve.

Close, Steve...but actually, the Social Security COLA for January 2006 was 4.1%, making our raise .4%. Read the chart...it will only go up the next 2 years. We'll be lucky to break even if these fools vote yes. Nonbelievers, see for yourself...

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/cola/automatic-cola.htm

Those are the cost of living raises given to people on social security, not inflation rates.. I think you have faired a lot better with COLA during the last 5 years than your Grandma. I would not change my package with the city with someone on social security. I also don't think to many people on social security make 1/2 of what you do. I also dont think you want to pair our raises to that of the social security administration. Here is some of their history, but hey I'm sure the city would love that deal.


January 2000 -- 2.5%
January 2001 -- 3.5%
January 2002 -- 2.6%
January 2003 -- 1.4%
January 2004 -- 2.1%
January 2005 -- 2.7%
January 2006 -- 4.1%

The anticipated rate of inflation for 2006 according to the Consumer Price Index is 4.0 %. Or a whopping .1 % less than the cola rate set by the SSA. My original point stands...

3.9% wrong. You need to remember that there is more than one institution that produces data for the Feds. National rates have been as high as 5.1% this year. They constantly flucuate.

For uniformity, FOOD AND ENERGY are NOT counted in any figures since they swing too wildly.

You also have to take into effect the conditions of living and working in a particlular metro area. Very few people get to their assigned work area in 20 minutes anymore. The Tampa Bay area has grown dramatically over just the last 5 to 10 years. And I'm not talking about people who commute 40 plus miles. Commutes from Brandon, Northdale, South Pasco, etc. have just about doulbled from 5 to 10 years ago. Try getting to court in the morning and very few will make it in less than 75 minutes. Increasing court time from 2 hours to 3 hours is good but it's not a raise. It is simply an adjustment for the local working conditions.

7-5-5 is the minimum for a yes vote from me. Unfortunately many members and in particular the union has now restricted us to a 5-5-5 at best.

The current offer is too low so vote NOOOOO !!!!!!!

HELLLLOOOOO IDIOTS

DONT YOU SEE THE TREND?

January 2000 -- 2.5%
January 2001 -- 3.5%
January 2002 -- 2.6%
January 2003 -- 1.4%
January 2004 -- 2.1%
January 2005 -- 2.7%
January 2006 -- 4.1%

WHEN WE LOCK OURSELVES INTO THIS THREE YEAR DEAL. BY THE TIME WE REACH CITY COUNCIL, MEDIATION OR ARBITRATION, :idea: THE REAL COST OF LIVING WILL BE HIGHER!!!!!January 2000 -- 2.5%
:idea: :cop: