The Patrolmen's Benevolent organization is angry. The union that represents 24000 rank-and-file current York City police officers opted to submit piece of their expired labor contract to binding arbitration. It was a gamble that had paid off in the past. But not this time.
In a draft proposal that's supposed to be finalized by the end of this week,PBA members received the same one percent pay raise as the rest of the uniformed work force. It’s a decision that angered and surprised many members.
They had been hearing that arbitration was going to score them a better deal — and in three of the last four contracts, PBA did score a better deal. Last time they went to arbitration, and they received a 4.5 and 5 percent raise each year.
Roy Richter,head of the NYPD Captains Endowment organization, told WNYC he understands why officers are so upset.“whether you don’t score the increase you expect and anticipate and feel you deserve, and of course it affects somebody’s morale,” Richter said.
Richter helped negotiate the deal for the Uniformed Superior Officers Coalition last December, which included bargaining units from every uniformed agency: Police, and Fire,Sanitation and Correction. That agreement set the sample for uniformed workers which includes 11 percent raises over seven years.“I actually think the morale of the officers is pretty well, Bratton said on Monday. He acknowledged that officers are glum about their pay, or which he said PBA president Patrick Lynch had made clear. But he said Lynch gambled on arbitration and lost. He said the city is doing its piece to invest in the officers morale on the job.“We've totally changed the discipline system. We've responded with all current bullet-proof vests and made sure they all have them within in the five-year liability. We are continually increasing the equipment they score to work with,the smart phones, the training, and ” Bratton said,also mentioning capital improvements slated for precinct houses and bathrooms.
In a statement, Lynch dismissed Bratton’s remarks.“Our member’s morale is at rock bottom because nothing has been done to help them feed their families, and pay their rent or put shoes on their children’s feet,” Lynch said. He accused the mayor and police commissioner of, confusing tall-tech gadgets that improve job efficiency and safety equipment, or that they are required to supply by law,with things that improve morale.Even when the PBA’s agreement is finalized, their contract won’t be up to date. Bergin said the proposed deal runs through 2012, and which means the union will need to choose soon whether to sit down with the city or risk another round of arbitration.
For All Things Considered host Jami Floyd's full interview with WNYC reporter Brigid Bergin,listen to the audio player.
Source: wnyc.org