Police union passes contract

TOLEDO, Ohio - Union members with the Toledo Police Patrolman's Association voted by a slim margin to pass a contract deal with the Finkbeiner administration Wednesday evening.

FOX Toledo's Shaun Hegarty said there was a 90-percent turnout for the vote, which concluded at 7 p.m.

Now that the contract is ratified, City Council will hold a special session Thursday at 9 a.m. to endorse the agreement (MORE: Concerns over possible July 4 "Blu Flu" by Toledo police).

The TPPA had been working under an expired contract since Jan. 1.

"It was a very small percentage," said TPPA President Dan Wagner. "A very, very close vote. We knew it was going to be a very close vote. Our members knew it was going to be a very close vote. So, now it's up to council to see if it proceeds past them."

The ratification comes on the same day 29 police officers were brought back to the force after a two-month layoff. They were brought back through the assistance of state and federal grants.

If the proposal is approved by council Thursday, it could end a long-running war of words between the TPPA president and Mayor Carty Finkbeiner.

"We had hammered out an agreement that both the city and the TPPA thinks for their respective viewpoints is the most appropriate, fair, middle-ground that we could reach," Mayor Finkbeiner said.

"There were some bigger sacrifices in past contracts, but people aren't happy with it, but can they live with it? Yeah I think I can," added TPPA President Dan Wagner.

Wagner said under the tentative agreement, which happened Monday evening, patrolmen would pay seven-percent into their pensions for six months. Right now they pay none. In return, the policemen would get six-and-a-half vacation days.

Patrolmen would also give up any pay increase for two years, with the promise of a 3.5-percent pay hike in the third and last year of the contract. Overtime time pay would be eliminated until March 2010. Union members could however opt to take comp time instead of banking the overtime.

Monthly healthcare contributions will also need to be made by the officers, in the form of $25 per person and $55 for a family.

Monthly healthcare contributions will also need to be made by the officers, in the form of $25 per person and $55 for a family.

"It was a difficult package to put in front of our membership but our membership realizes what's taking place both locally and nationally. They did what's right."

Wagner understands that those who voted "no" are speaking for their fellow laid-off officers.

"They said we're giving concessions already because these guys are laid off," he said. "The city's not paying their salaries. Why should we give more?"

It should be noted that this contract deal between the police union and the city does not bring back the other 46 officers who are still laid off.

"I appreciate the efforts and support of Toledo Police Patrolman's Association President Dan Wagner and his negotiation team in finalizing contract negotiations with our Police Patrol Officers," Mayor Finkbeiner said in a release to the media.

"With the vote of TPPA membership today, approving the tentative union contract, we are now close to resolving this issue. City Council will be briefed and vote on this contract tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. The concessions provided in this contract, are appreciated, and I thank the TPPA membership for their willingness to help our community during this economic downturn," Mr. Finkbeiner added.

"This is certainly a step in the right direction, but it will not balance the 2009 budget unless other city unions, still negotiating with the city, accept concessions and city council passes additional revenue enhancements. I look forward to working with the new council leadership to move quickly and balance the 2009 city budget within the next few days."

In the meantime, 29 laid-off officers were welcomed back to the force Wednesday. Two months ago the Finkbeiner administration laid off 75 police officers in order to help balance the city's budget.

"It was a huge issue because a lot of our guys were sounding off that without the guys back, they needed to turn this down to send a message back," Wagner said.

One-third of those who were laid off May 1 were brough back from state and federal grant money. The 29 officers returning will be assigned street patrol until Toledo Public Schools starts the 2009-10 academic year. They will then be transferred over to the school district to work as resource officers.

"Our anticipation is that we will have school resource officers back in all of our schools at the start of the school year," said TPS Superintendent John Foley. "I believe our intent is to have the same officers that we've had in the past years."

FOX Toledo has learned the union will lobby for some of the mayor's so-called revenue enhancements, like an increase in the garbage fee.

"We agreed to talk to council and help them pass some issues," Wagner said. 'we're going to do our best to help with that, because if the