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When commenting on the recent 7 year Police Benevolent Association (PBA) deal that gave LB Police a 26.7% raise, City Council President Scott Mandel, who just announced he is running for re-election in November, told Newsday, "All told, the agreement includes cost savings of more than $2.8 million." He is either not telling the truth or doesn't know what he is talking about.
You can see the internal PBA documents yourself. These are the documents distributed to the members of the PBA.
Click on the link here to see PBA deal documents yourself. Look at the documents and you be the judge.
The following are the words found in the PBA document. You decide how, as Scott Mandel states, the city is going to save $2.8 million? Is he not being truthful, or doesn't know what he is talking about.
The Document states (with my commentary regarding savings to the city taxpayers):
1) Wages
- 2008- 3.75%
- 2009- 3.75%
- 2010- 3.75%
- 2011- 3.50%
- 2012- 3.15%
- 2013- 3.15%
- 2014- 3.15%
- Some parts of the raises are deferred top a later time but the city taxpayer still must pay! (See document for full details).
- NO SAVINGS to the city taxpayer. In fact it's an HUGE INCREASE
Wage Summary: 26.7% raise when compounded over 7 years (3.814%), NOT INCLUDING longevity pay increases!
2) Longevity- effective 7/1/13
- When a cop hits his/her 6th year he/she will get $1,500- this is an increase from $1,100 per year!
- When a cop hits his/her 11th year he/she will get $3,000- this is an increase from $2,400 per year!
- When a cop hits his/her 16th year he/she will get $4,500- this is an increase from $3,550 per year!
- NO SAVINGS to the city taxpayer. In fact it's an INCREASE!
- NO SAVINGS to the city taxpayer. In fact it's an INCREASE!
4) NO Layoffs for the length of the 7 year contract
- $0 SAVINGS to the city taxpayer!
5) Increase uniform cleaning and equipment pay from $900/year to $1,200
- $0 SAVINGS to the city taxpayer! In fact it's an INCREASE!
6) Retirement incentive- If a member retires prior to 10/1/13 their termination/separation pay shall NOT be paid of the deferred rate of pay
- $0 SAVINGS to the city taxpayer!
7) Lag Payroll
- 2013/2014- 40 hours will be deducted from each cops pay check at the rate of 4 hours each check for 10 consecutive checks
- 2014/2014- 80 hours will be deducted from each cops pay check at the rate of 4 hours each check for 20 consecutive checks
- MINIMAL savings to the city and taxpayer!
- $0 SAVINGS to the city taxpayer for the next 20 years, it only applies to new hires when they retire
- According to the city budget (See budget Document, Line 58061- COPAY & REIMBURSEMENT POLICE) last year the city paid $56,222 in copays for the police. This is the total savings the city will save now that the cops will have to pay their copays! That is a total 7 year savings of $392,000!! NOT anywhere near the $2.8 million Mandel says will be saved today!This was the PBA's "biggest" concession in the deal!
- Minimal savings to the city taxpayer
- 1/3 of the termination payout will be paid within 60 days
- 1/3 of the termination payout will be a year after retirement/separation
- 1/3 of the termination payout will be 2 years after retirement/separation
- $0 SAVINGS TO THE CITY TAXPAYER
Who made out in this deal? The PBA or the City Taxpayers? I would argue this was a huge award for the cops and a huge cost to the taxpayers, who are already overtaxed. How will the city pay this $6-$8 million award?
In Newsday, mandel said, "While our cops on the street continue to do a great job, we are disappointed by the arbitrator's decision based on the fiscal challenges our City and residents are facing." Mandel is wrong again, it's his administrations fault and no one else's! And IT DIDN'T HAVE TO HAPPEN LIKE THIS! The Mandel Administration voted in September 2012 to allow the arbitrator to award not the 2 year deal permitted by law,m but rather a 7 year deal. Here is the language of the resolution passed in September, 2012:
"RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Long Beach, New York that Impartial Chairman Arbitrator Arthur Reigel and the duly constituted Public Arbitration Panel is hereby authorized, pursuant to New York State Civil Service Law, §209[2], to decide and determine the current matters in dispute from the date of the expired Collective Bargaining Agreement (June 30, 2008) through June 30, 2015 (7 Years).
WHERE IS THE $2.8 MILLION MANDEL SAYS THE CITY TAXPAYER WILL SAVE? IT'S NOT THERE: HE ISN'T TELLING THE TRUTH, AGAIN!
Mr. Mandel, you're not fooling anyone!