Police Vote To Delay Pay Raises To Avert Layoffs
The Denver Post
Denver police agreed Tuesday to delay their negotiated pay raises for 2010 and 2011, protecting officers from layoffs.
The ratification reversed the rejection a month ago by police of a similar package of contract concessions.
Mayor John Hickenlooper said the concessions were needed to help close a $160 million deficit in the city's general fund from July of this year through all of next year.
The mayor had said he would have to lay off 92 officers if they didn't delay their wage increases to bring the budget in line.
"This decision ensures the greatest number of police officers remain on the street and preserves public safety," Hickenlooper said in a statement.
"Layoffs were pending and hanging over our heads," said Lt. Vincent Gavito, president of the union that represents police. "The officers did what they had to do."
Gavito said the unofficial tally showed more than 1,200 officers voted, with about 74 percent agreeing to delay their raises.
3 comments:
He should still lay them off because he has over-hired the number of authorized positions.
There probably wouldnt be a deficit had the city not built the new justice center? There definitely needs to be a layoff large enough to meet the budget deficit. I doubt 190 officers draw 160 million? If they do i want one of those jobs! djw
In a day when other Americans are losing jobs by leaps and bounds, they should just be glad to have their jobs. To hell with raises. There are plenty of other people who would be happy to take their paychecks, as is (no raise needed).
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