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Hamtramck City Council Makes Final Concessions Offer To Police Unions
| 06/20/2012 |
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HAMTRAMCK, MI –– Amid the pleas of dozens of residents and public safety workers on Monday, the City Council laid its final offer of contract concessions on the table for the police department's two unions.
The tension was thick as council members went over plans to eliminate one lieutenant and one sergeant, and promote three officers to newly created corporal positions, who would patrol the streets like officers already do.
"The (Fraternal Order of Police) have given as much as they can. This is a step in the right direction," said Councilman Anam Miah, one of four council members, including Mayor Karen Majewski, who voted in favor of the contract.
Council members Cathie Gordon, Bob Zwolak and Abdul Algazali voted against the proposed contract.
The unions have seven days to ratify the deal. If they fail, the City Council also voted Monday to request the state Department of Treasury to conduct a preliminary financial review under Public Act 4 as early as next Tuesday.
Hamtramck is facing a $3.5 million deficit by 2013, prompting elected officials to threaten that widespread layoffs in both the police and fire departments could be forthcoming. The city's total budget is approximately $14 million.
Several dozen residents, police officers and firefighters filled the Council Chambers and flowed out into the hallway before Monday's meeting. The City Council has already rejected concessions of approximately $1.3 million that the police department's Fraternal Order of Police offered last week. The city wanted $1.4 million in cuts and for the department to reorganize its structure, eliminating supervisorial staff.
"With all the numbers floating around, we wonder what your agenda is," said FOP Vice President Jon Bondra Monday night before the elected officials entered into a closed session.
Union representatives met with the city attorney over the weekend to try to wrinkle out the differences. If negotiations can be agreed upon between the city and the FOP, some say an agreement is likely for the police department's other union and the fire department's union.
The council on Monday also postponed a motion to fire acting manager Erik Tungate. Tungate was appointed earlier this year, following the termination of former City Manager William Cooper. He's been criticized for failing to keep the city away from the brink of financial ruin.
Councilwoman Gordon has criticized Tungate, saying he's dragged his feet with drafting a deficit reduction plan.
Daniels, Serena Maria. "Hamtramck City Council Makes Final Concessions Offer To Police Unions". The Detroit News. June 19, 2012. http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120618/METRO01/206180434#ixzz1yKsmJBqv |
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