New Police Contract: Layoffs, Raises Still Possible
Tuesday, August 09, 2011
The final version of the new contract for Providence police shows that layoffs of as many as 30 officers are still possible while those remaining on the force could get a raise under some circumstances.
The August 4 document, obtained by GoLocalProv, is the first contract the union has had with the city since 2007.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTBecause the City Council is on recess this month it will not be able to ratify the contract until it resumes its normal meeting schedule. Public Safety Commissioner Steven Pare told GoLocalProv that timeframe will delay an estimated $6 million in savings. “I don’t see that as a problem,” he said.
A spokeswoman for Mayor Angel Taveras also said the delayed ratification would not be a major issue for the city budget.
“The police contract has yet to be ratified by the City Council,” said Melissa Withers. “This is a product of scheduling, not an indication of anything else. We are hopeful that the ratification process will begin as soon as the Council resumes its regular meeting schedule. The department will adjust to whatever the implications are of having the contract ratified after the fiscal year is already underway.”
Layoffs still possible
The city announced a tentative agreement with the local police union at the end of the June, touting it as an alternative to layoffs. But a GoLocalProv review of the contract shows that layoffs are still possible.
It all comes down to whether 30 officers take the early retirement incentive the city is offering. If they don’t, the contract does not protect rank-and-file members from layoffs.
“That number is arbitrary, so there could be layoffs based on the number of early-incentive retirements,” Pare told GoLocalProv. “It’s all subject to early retirees.”
‘Raises’ could also happen
The new contract also has been publicized as not providing any raises for a six-year period. But police officers will receive raises if the contract saves more than the necessary $6 million the city needs to balance the budget.
According to the contract, any additional savings between $6 million and $7.5 million will be applied to raises—or, as the contract terms it, a “salary stipend” for the 2012 fiscal year.
Each additional $330,000 saved will translate into a one percent salary stipend, up to a 5 percent stipend. But the additional pay will not be added to an officer’s base pay at the start of the 2013 fiscal year.
A similar deal is in place for the 2013 fiscal year.
Editor's Note: Union President Taft Manzotti could not be reached for comment in time for publication.
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