Jacksonville police, fire unions ready to tackle contracts
By: Health Insurance
Submitted: 2009-12-09 08:56:26 | Word Count: 466
Jacksonville's police and fire unions are fighting against pay cuts, health insurance increases and pension reform at the bargaining table with city labor officials.
Now, the unions' members are planning to pony up their own money - increasing dues to fund the fight.
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The 2,400-member Fraternal Order of Police approved a $10 monthly increase for a year, which is expected to generate more than $300,000.
The firefighter union's 1,200 members will be asked in January to kick in an extra $30 a month for three months to raise $100,000 for negotiations and legal counsel.
"We're going to defend what we feel we've negotiated for over the years," fire union president Randy Wyse said.
More than 90 percent of FOP members approved the due increase, union president Nelson Cuba said.
"That tells you our members believe in their leadership and the issues we will address," Cuba said.
Both unions are expecting long contract negotiations and will be paying attorneys and other professionals. Even when "unprecedented" cuts aren't on the table, contract talks often take six to nine months.
The city wants to freeze the automatic raises public-safety employees get based on their years of service, as well as reduce pension benefits for new employees.
Both Wyse and Cuba were re-elected without opposition this month to two-year terms, so there will be a consistent presence at the bargaining table throughout the negotiations.
The unions also point out the city also gives special attention to its negotiations. Since 1988, the city has paid Tallahassee labor attorney Leonard Carson to bargain with the FOP and fire unions.
The city paid Carson $109,000 in the budget year that ended in September and will likely have to pay more this year because of the number of meetings likely needed to get a contract done.
Carson is known as one of the top labor lawyers in Florida, has a solid working relationship with the local unions and is a valuable member of the city negotiating team, said city human resources chief Chad Poppell.
Cuba says he will hire a forensic accountant to look at the city's financial situation and plans on using an independent actuary to delve into the city's pension estimates.
He also added another seat at the table in last week's negotiations: a court reporter to document the discussions.
"That's to protect both sides," Cuba said.
Negotiations with both unions resume in mid-December
