Fire union claims city manager won't accept pay concessions
San Bernardino's fire union issued a statement a few minutes ago claiming that interim City Manager Mark Weinberg wants to renegotiate salary concessions.
Here's the union's full statement:
"San Bernardino Firefighters have been informed by interim City Manager Mark Weinberg that he wishes to change the terms of a 10 percent salary cut agreement accepted by city firefighters.
"On Feb. 19, the San Bernardino Firefighters approved a wage and benefit concession that was requested by the city, so we would be in-line with the city's mandate of a 10 percent across-the-board salary cut for all city employees.
"It would seem that Mr. Weinberg wishes to renegotiate and change the terms of our agreement - even though the written terms of which were proposed by Mr. Weinberg himself. In short, he now believes that our concession is not great enough and even though he acknowledges that this was his proposal, he still wants to change several terms of the agreement. We have not received his suggested changes in writing as of this time.
"We entered into budget cut discussions with the City with a great deal of openness, cooperation and trust. We understand and share in the pain of the city's budget crisis and the toll it has already taken on city residents and our fellow employees. It was in this spirit of shared sacrifice that we chose to seek a conciliatory tone in our approach to the budget crisis rather than confrontational.
"We are now concerned that our wage cut agreement was used to earn our trust and show support for the city's effort to push for tough budget cuts. And now that our ranks have voted to accept the agreement, he is attempting to change the terms of our agreement at our expense. We are greatly concerned with both the ethical and legal ramifications of this action.
We remain hopeful, however, that the City Council will see that "bait and switch" tactics in matters of wage cut agreements are a very serious matter. We are hopeful the City Manager will abide by the agreement as it stands."
Weinberg could not be reached immediately for comment.
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Andrew Edwards. E-mail Andrew here.
Now do you all see what the SBPD has been up against. Same thing happened to them this week.
I think you need to ban together and fight this. You have the two strongest Associations/Unions in the city! Fight them together!
Sir, I will admit that I DO NOT have all the facts surrounding what was negotiated with the SBFD Union and yourself. I know only what is in public print. However, based on what is being voiced in this article, it would appear on the surface that you have broken the bond of bargaining in good faith. That Sir, regardless of the issue can not be condoned if you want to keep total and complete cooperation of the rank and file of EACH and every union within the SB City's domain let alone the FD Union. You must bargain in good faith, I would hope you realize this. If by chance you did not do (all) your homework concerning the facts and figures in preparation for bargaining with the FD, then shame on you. One must now ask, “Are you the right person to be bargaining for the City?” In your current position, greater than all others, there must be a code of ethics and changing your mind AFTER the agreement has been made and accepted (and advertised) then you sir have blown it big time. Any short comings you now discover must be made up elsewhere. Perhaps your salary will help offset this blunder that someone or agency must now absorb.
Now, “IF” the SBFD Union upon review of your new written proposal agrees accept these changes, you have just lucked out and there is a bold lesson learned here for you. Additionally, I would expect you to personally go and shine every pair of (rubber) boots the FD Union has as a demonstration of your gratitude towards these understanding professionals. Maybe then your sincerity would be demonstrated…their call however.
Lastly, I must ask not only for myself but for all the City employees (professional, Union and Hrly alike) as well as the voters, what are your plans in four (4) months when the new years (2010) budget is due and you and the Council and Mayor are seeking the rabbit to pull out of the magic hat to balance the FY 2010 budget? If concessions now today were this hard and emotional, just what is in store for this new round of budget talks/negotiations and cuts?
Please Sir, share your thoughts with the Sun Newspaper as the voters await your explanation of your plan of attack for round two and how the employees of SB will be affected and the citizens (voters) are to be impacted.
You seem to flip flop more than a fish out of water. Really - get a life and stop blogging!
Your blogs go on and on and don't really say anything
and in the end....who really gives a S**T....doesnt matter what you or i want or need....the unions will fight it out...give and take...everyone will proclaim victory of some sorts ......union dues will be paid...tee shirts will be sold..city cops and city officials will take home many cars to cities far away,waste many tax dollars to fuel and maintain ,but no one notices these ongoing perks..the police will be unhappy with their current chief ..until a new one is hired...then he will fall out of favor...and life in San Bernardino will go on as usual......no wonder San Bernardino will always be a second rate city....or is that third rate....or maybe third world....
obviously the city is not hurting that bad if those extra perks are still there. Think about it, what city employee really needs a take home vehicle ? Narc teams don't need them, since there is no OT for them. Homicide detectives don't need them, since most go to the station first, before going to a scene. PD Admin really doesn't need them, what do they respond to? I know that the rest of the city departments are the same way. Fire Department admin also has take home cars. A huge amount of waste. the city manager hasn't trimmed the fat yet, instead he opted to leave the fat in place and get rid of some of the good meat. Some may think that cars would not save that much, but it all adds up. Gas will go up again and there is vehicle maintenance, tires, more miles put on a vehicle creating a need for a new car sooner, etc.
"Reader Bob", get a life, already. Moron.
"reader Bob" is the only person that is making any valid points. Those that are slamming him do not seem to say anything at all. In fact one of you ding dongs even used his tag name to post and slam him. Have another drink! ...and nice bait - n - switch Weinberg, your really going to do well for yourself.