Police union fires back after mayor imposes pay cut

another budget negotiation comes to a screeching halt -- with no agreement in the end. because of that, today the mayor's office announced a 2 and a half percent pay cut for albuquerque police officers. now, their union says it's suing the city for a pay raise it was willing to delay. antoinette antonio is live downtown to explain. antoinette? the albuquerque police officers association says it's the principle of the matter. it was ready to give up millions of dollars in pay raises. but now that officers are getting a pay cut -- the union is going to court. effective next pay check -- albuquerque police officers will see a two and a half percent pay cut. the albuquerque police officers' association says the lower wage could push up to 60 officers into early retirement. "so these guys that put their lives on the line every single day for 20 plus years are not gonna continue to do it when its worth less to them when they walk away at the end." union presidt, joey sigala, says the next step is going to court. the a-p-o-a will sue for a pay raise it w ready and willing to give up -- before negotiations with the mayor started. "we absolutely have to, otherwise what's the point of having a legally binding contract, what's the point of having an association if you're not gonna make somebody follow through with a contract they they legally signed." "one important criteria about any contract is that you have to have the appropriation to fund it and in this case we did not have the appropriation to fund the pay increases in the contract or the amount money that was currently being paid in the contract." the city also points out -- cops are making 5- percent more than they did when mayor berry took office in december after the mayor approved a pay increase. and they make 15-percent more than they did two years ago. i'm hoping that once this economic time is resolving itself, people will get their pay back with an increase for the money they sacrificed." "if i'm taking pay cuts, it doesn't matter whether your a policeman or security guard or a pipe cleaner or a plumber, the economy is affecting everybody, why shouldn't it affect them too?" in addition to the pay cut -- police officers also have to pay three percent more toward their health insurance. we've been assured by both the city and union that this cant' -- and won't -- result in any type of strike. live.. aa.. ewn4s yesterday the mayor cut the salaries of firefighters by nearly 2-point-and a half percent. the fire union already filed a lawsuit because firefighters aren't getting their full raises. union leaders say they are thinking of taking more legal action. non-union fire members are seeing their wages cut on a sliding scale-- with the top brass getting a three-and a half percent cut. the city plans to go into negotiations with five different afscme unions after the holiday weekend. negoatiations aren't expected to be as contentious as those with the fire and police unons -- since afscme leaders told us today that they are expecting a 2 and a quarter percent pay cut. negotiations will focus on how to spread out the cut -- possibly through furloughs, unpaid holidays, or tiered wage cuts.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• abq

[ConorJNixon]

I'm pleasantly surprised with the comments. As the guy said, the economy is affecting everyone. Gov. employees whose pay isn't based in the real world should be affected too.

[PatriotRadioMilitia]

i dont need the cops anyway , just a gang with a badge , if the city doesnt have money what are you going to do hold the city hostage ? fuck off , maybe if the streets weren't full of illegals your job would be easier

[PatriotRadioMilitia]

police union ? now thats sounds like communism

[mcihak1219]

ok union guys, stand tall, hold them to that contract. BUT, when the city goes bankrupt, you can let the judge determine what a FAIR compensation is. That is what you are pushing cities into doing. Time to get real union peeps, THERE IS NO MONEY! did ya hear that, NO MONEY, no matter what the contract and your union brainwashes say, NO MONEY!

If they file bankruptcy, the judge will not look favorably to the fact that 6% of the people account for 50% of the budget in most ciries.

[kobie8819591]

CUT COPS PAY IN HALF

[Fandaanx]

There is no reason for Teachers, Firefighters, Policemen, or any type of government worker to be unionized because it is a major conflict of interest. Teachers complain about their low pay, so stop paying into your unions and keep that money for your self. Unions spend tons of the workers money on politicians, when that money could be better used on the members families.

[DSXmachine]

That's 60 fewer people brutalizing the public. I support completely outlawing police unions.

The public is against the police. Fear us.

[tkcrofamericans]

boo hoo what will you do with that pension plan you get. NO UNIONS in government jobs!!!