Police union to vote on concession package
Police union president Rich Lawhead said members are scheduled to vote today and Wednesday on a concessions package.
SB Now has yet to obtain the package's formal language, but Lawhead said the deal calls for officers to give up compensation in the form of medical benefits, uniform allowances and the ability to sell back vacation and holiday time.
Lawhead said today that surrendering the uniform allowance amounts to a $1,900 loss per officer over two years. He said Monday that the concessions would mean officers would lose a little less than $500 in compensation per month.
The union's acceptance of the concessions package could negate furloughs, which the city council imposed Feb. 19 to cut costs by reducing cops' paid time by four hours per week. A judge on Monday denied the union's attempt to obtain a temporary restraining order against furloughs.
In related news, the city and firefighters union have been unable to finalize an agreement on a concessions package. Sun reporter Stacia Glenn reported in today's edition that a City Council vote to ratify the deal has been postponed.
The city-firefighters agreement would have allowed firefighters to bank four hours of unpaid leave time per week in exchange for a 10 percent salary cut. The breakdown happened after interim City Manager Mark Weinberg added a provision to prevent firefighters from using the leave time before June 2010.
Firefighters' contract requires that all stations be constantly manned, and that firefighters who fill in for others' shifts be paid overtime. Weinberg said that allowing firefighters to use their new leave time before June 2010 risked an uptick in overtime costs.
"That will leave the city vulnerable for there to be a run on those bank hours, which has the potential to completely erase any of the negotiated savings," Weinberg said. "We're still giving them the same number of hours, the only thing that we wanted them to restrict was the amount of time they took off."
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Andrew Edwards. E-mail Andrew here.
This is a sweet deal for the PD. It's a shame that Lawhead is trying to pursuade officers of SBPD to reject the deal and continue to fight this. Did you read about what he did yesterday to the city attorney at the courthouse? He should be ashamed of himself. What a child. You should be so proud of yourself Lawhead. Do you have kids? If so, I hope you display that type of behavior at home.
Steven,
You have no idea what you are talking about. Lawhead has not pushed anything on us (POA members). At our last meeting members asked Lawhead what he suggested and he told members to make up there own minds. He was neutral the entire time. He laid out what the costs would be each way and let us decide. Get more info before you start writing the wrong info.
To SB Officer,
Really? Then why is it that POA continues this fight with the city? What exactly are you fighting for at this point? Please enlighten me. According to this news article, the city is offering you a deal in lieu of furloughs. Wake up. Have you opened a newspaper lately? SB isn't the only city in shambles.
Are you also going to defend the behavior Lawhead displayed in court yesterday?
Yes I read the newspaper Steven, but I also view this everyday because I am there. You see I get my facts from the source not a story. Yes any idiot knows what going on in the USA and doesn't need it pointed out. That is why we are voting on the new plan. To help the city out because they bungled the city finances. The fact that people are saying Lawhead is pushing officers to reject the new plan is a LIE!!! He is neutral and hasn't pursuaded me or anyone I know to vote either way.
SB Officer:
OK...am I missing something here? How is the POA helping the city by filing a lawsuit? How is the POA helping the city by dragging this on? Do you really think you are going to win this fight? Even if you do..what is going to happen when your contract expires at the end of the year? You and your department are going to be SOL with the city. Maybe you are one of the officers leaving this city, but what about those left behind? I agree with you, the city has screwed up and both Morris and Weinberg (and everyone else for that matter) need to go far far away. However, why not help the situation while helping yourself and your fellow officers out at the same time? There are people counting on you in this city to do the right thing. Law abiding citizens, like me, who respect you, to do the right thing.
The behavior Lawhead displayed in court is a clear indication of what he wants to do. He wants a fight and from the looks of it, the city is ready to bring it on.
Steven, Where does it say in our contract that we have to take a pay cut if things get tough. Where does it say that we will be furloughed if the city makes bad financial deals. Dont forget its not our fault. We negotiated and are getting only what other police officers in surrounding cities are getting.
If the city wanted us to "help out" than they should have come to us and asked us to make some concessions. Instead they demanded concessions and threatened to lay off our friends and co-workers. Do you expect us to just back down and say "ok".
All they had to do was come to us like professionals and negotiate. As far as Lawhead goes, his days are numbered as POA president. His immature attitude has only made things difficult at best and thats only the recent things he's done. Remember that stupid banner he flew over Route 66.Steven if you think we are SOL come negotiation time think again. The mayor knows that only we can police this city. Its hard to find qualified men and woman who are willing to work in a city like this. We were told by one lateral officer who was going back to his previous department that we didnt need more police, we needed the National Guard. He just didnt have what it takes to work in our city. We only want to be treated fairly.
Steven you have no clue. This mayor and Chief lied to all his police officers and have both conspired to take our money while they help their friends get promoted. How do you explain this Chief being Rehired in light of this financial crisis. This Chief and mayor are a joke
I have to write in - all of you make good points - yes even Steven.
First of all I think we can all agree Bildt and Kimball should leave. It disgusts me to see them at the station and the fact that they don't have the courage to face us is pathetic. They have ruined the department and the morale of the officers. I can't believe they would do the double dipping thing. They should put their tails between their legs and limp out. They are not wanted and the department cannot begin to heal until they are truly gone. Their are plenty of qualified individuals who could run the department until a new chief is hired. However, that is a whole other issue because who would want to come to our department.
The Mayor has lied to us also. But hey didn't we expect that and know it was coming. Just look at Morris and you can tell he is a POS. And his son Jim right along with him. I can only hope they don't get re-elected. But the Mayor has continued to do what he always has and that is protect the same citizens we have been hired to protect the city against. He has always been for the underdog and always will be. This goes way back to his days as a judge! We knew he wouldn't change.
And yes they are all jokes - Bildt, Kimball, Morris and Morris Jr. and Weinberg.
As for Lawhead he has represented us well. However, I do truly believe he has let his hatred cloud his judgement. I think we all can agree his behavior the other day was irresponsible and uncalled for. Especially when wearing the same uniform we all put on every day. This was not a good representation of us - us as officers! And I for one am embarrassed by his actions.
If we continue this fight we will end up losing more. More money out of our checks, and no security when our contract expires at the end of this year. Lawhead keeps telling us we should fight. But fight for what? He can't tell us anymore why we are fighting. At this point we need to fight for what is best for our futures and for our family. Yes it seems the city is also ready to fight but I believe in the end this will hurt us more. We will lose the 10%, we will lose our POA fund and we will lose in the long run.
I can guarantee you a 10% paycut is going to cripple my family. And I don't live outside my means. I live perfectly well on my current salary - even without the overtime. However, you throw in a 10% cut and my family will suffer. I can't stand to see that happen to my wife and children. And I am sure there are alot of you who feel the same way.
Do I want to give up anything - Hell No. But should we - yes! We have to give a little to get a little. Other departments in the city have and unfortunately across the nation this has happened. We are fortunate that we have been able to negotiate a deal - other departments have not been able to. We all have to make the best of a bad situation.
I truly believe this current proposal is in our best interest. While giving something (less than the original 10%) we are still gaining.
To Lawhead and your "followers" cool down for a minute, quit getting so worked up and take the time to read through the proposal and think this through. Not only for you but your fellow officers. Listen to both sides and do what is right. Don't just get caught up in the "fight" of it all.
As for the comment about it taking special individuals to police this city. Oh yeah I am with you there. I truly believe we are the finest out there. Many wouldn't dare come to this city -and we go out there every day willing to take on anything that comes our way. We are one of a kind and I am proud to be one of you!
It seems to me the job of the POA is to look out for the cops they represent and keep them from having to give up anything they have rightfully worked for. The POA is doing a great job of trying to protect its members. I am jealous. I am a county employee and our union (SBPEA) sells out to the Board of Supervisors every chance it gets. I guarantee you any non-management county employee would LOVE to have a union like the POA!
Lawhead Lawhead Lawhead. Three of the biggest problems the department has. Due to Lawhead's personal agenda, he has left the POA with zero credibility. We can bash the chief all day, but Lawhead has taken his own agenda and crippled the POA from gaining any support. Thanks Lawhead! How about a vote of no confidence in him? Oh, wait a sec, he likes those votes, and knows they are a complete waste of time! Well Rich, I certainly have no confidence in you as a professional. You have lowered the department to a level undeserved.
Lawhead the biggest problem the department has?? You gotta be kidding me, you can't be a fellow officer.
Lawhead didn't mismanage and run the department into the ground while losing the respect of the rank and file. That is what Billdt and Kimball have done, and now they are going to keep on doing it at double the paycheck.
To blame Lawhead for this mess is ridiculous. Lawhead has no say in how the department gets run.
When Billdt and his axe-man Kimball get run out of town, then the department may be able to heal.
No one said he ran the DEPARTMENT. Is is a PROBLEM for the department. He has ruined any credibility the POA had! And yes, I am a fellow officer. You must be one of the few who are tied in with the good sergeant.
Nope, I barely know Lawhead. All I am saying is that Lawhead is a relatively small fry in the big scheme of things. He isn't that powerful.
Billdt and Kimball are powerful, and they, along with Mayor Patty Morris, have done more damage to this department in the last 3 years than i can possibly imagine.
Hate Lawhead all you want, replace him as head of POA, whatever, we are still going to be in the same mess. Lawhead didn't create any of this.
Lawhead may not have created the fiscal crisis, but he has definitely played a role in the hostile working environment within the department. Calling the city attorney a weasel d*** or whatever choice words he used? He should act like a professional. It just shows he's letting his personal issues with administration get the best of him.