2012 senior class photos
2012 West Carrollton graduation
Home of the Week
Ellen Belcher is the Dayton Daily News opinion pages editor. She writes about state government, education, the environment, higher education and all things Dayton.
Martin Gottlieb is an editorial writer and columnist for the Dayton Daily News opinion pages. He focuses on the political process itself and does such national issues as war, the economy, taxes and Social Security, as well as a hodge-podge of local and state issues.Home > Blogs > A Matter of Opinion > Archives > 2009 > July > 13 > Entry
Editorial: Police should give up on cushy deals
Dayton’s police union is playing a dangerous game of chicken that could result in 11 officers being laid off Aug. 3.
That cannot happen. Reducing the force by that many officers is irresponsible when there are other sensible ways to cut costs. But the union could force the city’s hand by continuing to demand a raise and reject furlough days that others have already given up. In an effort to close a $6 million budget deficit, Dayton has made a reasonable proposal to all four of its labor unions — forgo a raise this year and agree to four furlough days to avoid layoffs.
The city’s service workers have already accepted the deal, and the city has imposed it on managers and non union workers. But the police are holding out, saying the city owes them more.
The union wants to keep the 3 percent raise it negotiated, but it has made concessions —Â it was willing to take 1 percent this year. The city says police have to take a wage freeze like everybody else. The dispute is headed for binding arbitration.
City Manager Rashad Young said the union’s ideas for how he can give a pay raise to police and avoid layoffs at the same time are not workable. The suggestions that he use money from the city’s reserve fund, or borrow against it, only puts off the problem. A loan would have to be paid back, and the reserve isn’t a piggybank to use for routine operating expenses.
Though the $20 million reserve may look inviting, in truth it is barely adequate for a city Dayton’s size. Generally, bond rating companies expect cities to keep the equivalent of six to 10 weeks of expenses in a cash reserve or they will pay a penalty when borrowing. Dayton’s reserve would cover just slightly more than six weeks, city officials said.
Police union President Randy Beane has repeatedly objected to cutting spending by taking officers off the street. In fact, one complaint about Mr. Young’s proposed furloughs is that they would reduce manpower to a troubling degree. If that’s a serious worry, then the union must help work to avoid it. And there are other options.
Amazingly, Dayton police officers have a tremendous sweetheart deal when it comes to their 12 paid holidays. In many jobs, being assigned to work on a holiday means premium pay. But for Dayton police, premium pay means officers are paid for 48 hours of work during a holiday week instead of 40, whether they work on the holiday or not.
Moreover, Mr. Young says giving up this perk on just five of the 12 days would net the same savings as the four days off without pay.
It’s hard to imagine how this arrangement ever made sense, but it certainly doesn’t in today’s fiscal environment. (Ending it shouldn’t be just for this year.)
Agreeing only to this give-back would still require police to accept the same pay freeze as everyone else, but it would keep more officers on the street. It’s a no-brainer.
The police union cannot stick to a position that demands a raise even if other officers are laid off and even though other workers accepted the freeze. It can’t demand the city raid its reserve fund. It can’t reject furloughs while clinging to premium pay on holidays for everyone.
Mr. Beane and his union need to get serious.
Permalink | Comments (28) | Post your comment | Categories: City of Dayton, Editorials, Law Enforcement and Public Safety, Scott Elliott
Tweet
Comments
By unsigned-like the editorial
July 13, 2009 1:29 AM | Link to this
The 1% raise came from arbitration. This is personal for the city manager and the fire department is also on the chopping block!! Safety services are being cut first, rather than all the pork…way to attract more criminals to Dayton.
By Concerned
July 13, 2009 2:02 AM | Link to this
I frequently do not find myself in agreement with the editorial board opinion, but this time they got it right. More hardship is coming to the area in the form of additional foreclosures due to adjusting interest rates over the next 3 years as well as the continuing fallout from more job loss to come. Keeping more officers employed, even at a lower annual rate of pay, should be the goal of both management and union leadership.
By Jabber
July 13, 2009 7:00 AM | Link to this
The 1% raise came from arbitration. That should stay. The holiday pay system needs revision. I think the police should also do the four furlough days as the rest of the city workers are doing. Maybe it all should go to arbitration. It may have to if Beane does not lead his Union in doing the right thing.
By Bert Shubert
July 13, 2009 7:44 AM | Link to this
The edditor is saying that the Police officers should not be paid for holiday’s they do not work. He failed to mention that if you work Christmas, New Years or whatever holiday you get an extra 8 hours pay. How many other unions would be willing to work a mandatory Christmas, Easter or New years knowing once you get to work, if an emergency happens on your shift you could miss getting home at all on that holiday. It happens more than you think. Police and Fire are not your normal jobs. Your life and the life of your family depends on them every single day.
By Bert Shubert
July 13, 2009 7:45 AM | Link to this
The edditor is saying that the Police officers should not be paid for holiday’s they do not work. He failed to mention that if you work Christmas, New Years or whatever holiday you get an extra 8 hours pay. How many other unions would be willing to work a mandatory Christmas, Easter or New years knowing once you get to work, if an emergency happens on your shift you could miss getting home at all on that holiday. It happens more than you think. Police and Fire are not your normal jobs. Your life and the life of your family depends on them every single day.
By William
July 13, 2009 7:56 AM | Link to this
Before the police department capitulates, the mayor, commissioners and city manager should reduce their salary by 50% to show they are serious about bringing costs inline. Simply taking unpaid holidays is NOT enough. Lead by example and show the citizens of the city if they are serious about cutting costs by enduring hardships financially like the rest of us. If they don’t then they face removal at the ballot boxes.
By Wrong
July 13, 2009 8:15 AM | Link to this
The DDN editorial board got this one ALL WRONG. The FOP should stick to the findings of the 3rd-party arbitrator and hold on for the 1% raise. If the city is ignorant enough to lay off officers, so be it. Find the savings somewhere else, Dayton!
By what what
July 13, 2009 8:30 AM | Link to this
Laying off 11 officers will save just over 10% of the projected 6 million dollar budget. Where is the other 90% going to come from. It appears that the city manager is mad that they lost the arbitration and is taking it out on the officers. From what I can tell the officres already agreed to a health care increase and a wage freeze. Since they are paying more for health care and no pay increase they have accpted a CUT in pay. The city manager, mayor, and city council have not done that. SHows who care more.
By what what
July 13, 2009 8:30 AM | Link to this
Laying off 11 officers will save just over 10% of the projected 6 million dollar budget. Where is the other 90% going to come from. It appears that the city manager is mad that they lost the arbitration and is taking it out on the officers. From what I can tell the officres already agreed to a health care increase and a wage freeze. Since they are paying more for health care and no pay increase they have accpted a CUT in pay. The city manager, mayor, and city council have not done that. SHows who care more.
By Paul Hail
July 13, 2009 9:10 AM | Link to this
Someone at third and Ludlow needs to figure out that people and business leave the city when it is not safe. I am wondering if a competent mayor and city leadership can ever be voted in in Dayton. I have to wonder why we are not out sourcing waste collection to Rumpke or Waste management to save probably way more than 6million. The fire department has been gutted already who are we going to call in an emergency the parks and rec dept. I hope many Dayton residents will realize that we have seen a tremendous amount of industry leave Dayton most are relocating to neighboring communities and neighboring states. Hopefully when they realize this they will start holding city management accountable and elect new leadership. If nothing else you would think our Mayor could attract a new Hat manufacturing business to Dayton. I hope the last one out of Dayton will turn the light out so Mr. Young will not whine about paying that bill also.
By Davidss2
July 13, 2009 9:48 AM | Link to this
Silly inside politics on the part of the city manager. He lost arbitration. We should have had a more knowledgeable city manager annointed in the past when there were other candidates instead of an inside job, again. But that’s the city of Dayton way.—————-Cut the foo-foo money the city gives to the “arts” crowd. Cut out all the welfare style pork of caring for those who don’t want to help themselves. Reduce the number of assistants at city hall and the secretaries so it looks alike ghostland. If the city doesn’t have money, the silly statues around town wouldn’t be on the street corners. The city has money, it just doesn’t want to spend it on policing. Indeed, they don’t even want to support their policemen who put up with being second guessed every time they have an arrest with a bad ending—it’s always the race card comes first. ==========Wonder why Dayton has so many people who’ve left? Bad inside politics, instead of efficient running of the city for the good of the city in the end rather than serving as a “big daddy” to support and protect those who don’t want to live according to the rules.—————-time for a new mayor and new city manager.
By Rob
July 13, 2009 9:48 AM | Link to this
Hmm, the Police should give in because the City is in the “Hurt Locker”… I suppose the City will give in once the situation turns around and there is money available? Of course not. Stand your ground.
By Concerned Citizen
July 13, 2009 11:42 AM | Link to this
I find it amusing that we continually get advice and “counsel” from a newspaper that moved it printing facility out of Dayton. Maybe you would be better served giving Franklin, Ohio, all your great free advice. I will address a few points that either went unmentioned or were erronious. First, has the city let go of their Dragon’s Suite that the commissioners use like they own it, not the people of dayton. Trust me, I volunteered at the Dragon’s for a number of years and it is shameful and borderline criminal the way they use that suite for family get togethers etc. Why does each commissioner have a city car, using city gas? Why don’t they forgo their cars and take a mileage reimbursement for the FEW times they MIGHT actually use their personal car for city business. Why are we supplying the President of Chase Bank of SW Ohio a car. He should be ashamed. After all they only work PART-TIME. They may have worked harder in the past, but they all have assistants now that help with their duties. As to the FOP. A close friend I have on the PD has informed me that they did offer the city to forgo the raise that the Fact-Finder awarded them, but the city was NEVER interested in negotiating. From day one their postition has been 0% raise and 4 furlough days. I have a ews flash, a Fact-Finder is called a Fact-Finder for a reason, they find the facts and as usual were able to look through the facade that the city was putting up and recommended a fair deal. Speaking of the holidays vs. furlough days. If a city employee gets an extra days pay, 8 hours, for working Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc. (when you are in your warm house enjoying the comforts and companionship of family)how does it take 5 of those 8 hour “days” to equal “4” 8 hours “days” that are not holidays, as you quote Mr. Young? Once again, the FOP probably would conceded on points, but Mr. Young and the City Commissioners are leaches on this town, no matter how much you give, they want more and more blood. If the FOP buckles under these mafia tactics, then each and every time the ignorant, incompetent leaders of Dayton do not get their way in a contract negotiation they will threaten a layoff to gain compliance from their employees. In closing, it was not suprise that the DDN is in the corner of the city staff on this and every other issue. The DDN is a dying newspaper and Dayton is a dying city so the misery must truly love company.
By Thank you again
July 13, 2009 2:47 PM | Link to this
Amazing, here comes the DDN and all of the other know it alls. Very few people participate in public safety negotiations. Public Safety unions are not allowed to strike, they must follow what a third party mediator or arbitrator decides. For an issue to get through a fact-finder and arbitrator means that other folks, outside of the city of Dayton, determine that Dayton has the ability to give them a raise. There are obviously other areas that do not affect the daily quality of life issues for citizens that could be cut. One area to investigate in potential savings, as another poster stated, should start with asking why do the Commissioners still get cars? For the Holiday Pay, many of these issues had been negotiated as part of a wage package, besides the fact that most employees work at least part of the holiday. The holiday pay could have been placed to offer a less expensive way to give a pay raise. For example: Police and Firefighters receive overtime pay for when they work over their assigned hours, currently holiday pay would not count as part of base salary. Let’s assume a salary of $45k, and assume holiday pay was $2,000. If this pay rate was added to their base salary, the salary would be $47k. Overtime is factored from base salary; this change in base salary makes would increase an overtime rate by $1.45 an hour. Assume that the Dayton Police department has 25,000 hours of overtime. This configuration of pay saves the city $36,250.
By Concerned
July 13, 2009 2:54 PM | Link to this
I still have a problem with no one in any of the numerous posts on this subject giving a damn about the 11 officers who are at risk of losing their jobs or the overall safety of the community. There have been two SWAT call outs and five shootings, three which resulted in death, since the city made this announcement and that’s WITH the 11 still on the street. These people are the only thing that stands between harm and safety. IF the 11 are laid off you will not be any safer, crime will not go down you can believe that nonsense if you want. The truth of the matter is these people are voluntarily excepting a job where the percentages of them not going home are increased exponentially, more so,than the average person. An organization can never do more with less, because you always do less with less. The fact of the matter is Dayton, Ohio is almost to the point of no return. And to all the people who doubt the job the police do, go the academy and become a cop. You deal with the hepatitis-c AND hiv infected prostitutes. You deal with the knife wielding person who is talking to someone that is not there. You deal with violent dopers who are intent on watching society burn. You deal with the with death of people everyday. And after it is all said and done come back and tell me how easy the job is. Dayton, Ohio is at a pivotal point in its history we can turn it around but if these people are laid-off the city may be at a point of no return the likes of Youngstown, OH, Flint, MI or Gary, IN have never witnessed. Quit playing the games and let’s win back our city.
By Concerned
July 13, 2009 2:55 PM | Link to this
I still have a problem with no one in any of the numerous posts on this subject giving a damn about the 11 officers who are at risk of losing their jobs or the overall safety of the community. There have been two SWAT call outs and five shootings, three which resulted in death, since the city made this announcement and that’s WITH the 11 still on the street. These people are the only thing that stands between harm and safety. IF the 11 are laid off you will not be any safer, crime will not go down you can believe that nonsense if you want. The truth of the matter is these people are voluntarily excepting a job where the percentages of them not going home are increased exponentially, more so,than the average person. An organization can never do more with less, because you always do less with less. The fact of the matter is Dayton, Ohio is almost to the point of no return. And to all the people who doubt the job the police do, go the academy and become a cop. You deal with the hepatitis-c AND hiv infected prostitutes. You deal with the knife wielding person who is talking to someone that is not there. You deal with violent dopers who are intent on watching society burn. You deal with the with death of people everyday. And after it is all said and done come back and tell me how easy the job is. Dayton, Ohio is at a pivotal point in its history we can turn it around but if these people are laid-off the city may be at a point of no return the likes of Youngstown, OH, Flint, MI or Gary, IN have never witnessed. Quit playing the games and let’s win back our city.
By Concerned
July 13, 2009 2:55 PM | Link to this
I still have a problem with no one in any of the numerous posts on this subject giving a damn about the 11 officers who are at risk of losing their jobs or the overall safety of the community. There have been two SWAT call outs and five shootings, three which resulted in death, since the city made this announcement and that’s WITH the 11 still on the street. These people are the only thing that stands between harm and safety. IF the 11 are laid off you will not be any safer, crime will not go down you can believe that nonsense if you want. The truth of the matter is these people are voluntarily excepting a job where the percentages of them not going home are increased exponentially, more so,than the average person. An organization can never do more with less, because you always do less with less. The fact of the matter is Dayton, Ohio is almost to the point of no return. And to all the people who doubt the job the police do, go the academy and become a cop. You deal with the hepatitis-c AND hiv infected prostitutes. You deal with the knife wielding person who is talking to someone that is not there. You deal with violent dopers who are intent on watching society burn. You deal with the with death of people everyday. And after it is all said and done come back and tell me how easy the job is. Dayton, Ohio is at a pivotal point in its history we can turn it around but if these people are laid-off the city may be at a point of no return the likes of Youngstown, OH, Flint, MI or Gary, IN have never witnessed. Quit playing the games and let’s win back our city.
By null
July 13, 2009 7:40 PM | Link to this
Maybe the Police and Fire, when their number is up, should all take their furlough days at once. Then this city would see who and what is needed.
By laidoffsoon
July 15, 2009 2:48 AM | Link to this
Thanks for all the support out there. I hope the FOP does not give into the city just because us “ROOKS” might be laid off. I am sure the FOP will vote against the furlough days, because they know we support them and want them to fight even if we have to take a job elsewhere or are laid off for a period. In regards to “Beane not leading the union to do the right thing”, I was at the meeting hall and know what he is leading us to, and it is the right thing for all our members, even us 11.
By Basil
July 15, 2009 11:22 PM | Link to this
The 48 hour pay week (s) is a negotiated part of their salary. It’s easy for you to sit in your comfortable office and tell the police to take a pay cut.
By Facts
July 21, 2009 1:02 PM | Link to this
The editor either doesn’t know all the facts,or chooses to side with city leaders-as usuaul.When the city is truly hurting they will stop having their catered tents-including alcohol at festivals i.e. the air show,city folk,luxury box at the dragons-all on the tax payers dime.Is that fiscal responsibility? Do city leaders need all those assistants? Does Rashaad Young need to drive that city paid for Hummer?Maybe the city leaders should try to be nice to businesses and they might stay.Not sure why they would want to stay with the safety forces depleted.
By Me
July 22, 2009 12:29 PM | Link to this
Wait until word gets out of the latest scam the city is forcing on DPD….forcing officers to pay back overtime they were REQUIRED to work!
By Poblano
October 26, 2009 6:47 AM | Link to this
Ahem….please explain how this opinion relates to the management raises that the city managed to fund after claiming they couldn’t afford raises. I think perhaps foot in mouth disease may be spreading.
By tudor watches
November 26, 2010 6:05 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the help in this question, the easier, the better ?
By replica tudor
December 4, 2010 5:05 PM | Link to this
I consider, that the theme is rather interesting. I suggest you it to discuss here or in PM.
By panerai
December 4, 2010 10:21 PM | Link to this
Just that is necessary, I will participate. Together we can come to a right answer.
By vacheron constantin royal eagle
December 5, 2010 1:19 AM | Link to this
I apologise, but this variant does not approach me. Who else, what can prompt?
By replica bell ross
December 11, 2010 5:05 PM | Link to this
The matchless theme, is pleasant to me