Article published September 03, 2009
Pay freeze ordered for Maumee police
By JENNIFER FEEHAN
BLADE STAFF WRITER
Five months after Maumee City Council rejected a fact-finder's recommendation for wage increases for its police officers, sergeants, and dispatchers, a conciliator ruled that the city should institute the same wage freeze and lump-sum payments for police that other employees received.
City officials said they are pleased with Conciliator David Pincus' report, which imposed two-tier wage and vacation schedules sought by the city but sided with the Fraternal Order of Police on issues relating to longevity pay and drug and alcohol testing.
Mike Angelo, labor counsel for Maumee, said the fact-finder recognized that the city's income was falling but still recommended raises of 3 percent this year and 2 percent for the next.
The conciliator noted the city's financial challenges, including declines in income tax revenue and interest income, and concluded police should be subject to the two-year wage freeze put into effect for firefighters, clerical workers, and public works employees. Like those workers, police are to receive a $750 lump-sum payment this year, a one-time payment equal to 3 percent of their base wage in 2010, and either a 2 percent base-wage increase or a wage reopener in 2011.
"I'm happy with what [the conciliator] found. I think he took a look at the evidence and did what needed to be done," Mr. Angelo said. FOP representatives could not be reached for comment.
In March, the 54-member bargaining unit accepted the terms recommended by the fact-finder, John Meredith, but council unanimously rejected it, sending it to conciliation, which is binding.The conciliator agreed with the city's proposal to put into effect a two-tiered wage scale for employees hired after Jan. 1, 2009, saying in his report, "The present and future economic outlooks for the city and the Toledo metropolitan area do not look promising. One way to offset future layoffs, furloughs, and unpaid holidays is to implement a two-tiered approach. It does not impact current employees but offers a cushion against future downturns."
Mr. Pincus agreed with the city's proposal to eliminate a sixth week of vacation for employees hired after Jan. 1, 2009, who accrue 25 years or more service, agreed with the union's opposition to random drug and alcohol testing, and retained the current formulas for longevity pay.
"I think this is going to help the city with long-term planning and controlling costs long-term," Mr. Angelo said. "We just don't know where this economy is going to go. You can sit back on your hands and say, 'Let's see where it's going to go,' but then it might be too late."
The city and union each must pay $1,727 for the conciliator's work.
Contact Jennifer Feehan at:
jfeehan@theblade.com
or 419-724-6129.
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