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The value of Margate labor unions dwindling in the eyes of residents
• Residents adopting the union's "us against them" mentality
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Friday,
July 9, 2010
Speaking with several in attendance at Margate's City Commission meeting Wednesday night, Margate residents say they would like to see both union pay and benefits cut for all three Margate unions (General Employee, Police, Fire).
Margate residents say they are genuinely offended by the fire union’s recent request for pay raises and are giving second thoughts as to whether to support the union any longer.
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At round two of negotiations with the Margate Fire Union this week, union officials showed up requesting almost $2.8 million in raises over the next three years, said Margate City Manager Frank Porcella. Read round 1 negotiations.
Pay for Margate’s General Employees is frozen this year as is pay for police captains and lieutenants.
Police rank and file officers, represented by the Fraternal Order of Police, cut a deal last year which secured this year’s step pay (yearly raise) - a decision which Margate City Manager, Frank Porcella, said he regrets in light of the down economy and one fire union officials won’t let him forget.
Although the fire union toned down their wish list a bit by the end of negotiations Tuesday, no agreement between the city and union was reached.
Salaries for Margate firefighters range from about $56K to $96K with the majority of salaries in the $70Ks and $80Ks.
Pay for Margate firefighters, on average, exceeds that of both Margate and Broward County's median household and family incomes.
City officials and others in attendance at fire union negotiations found it unprofessional that union officials negotiate from a scratch pad of ideas and present no official documentation or report to city officials that outlines demands and / or contains the risks, benefits and financial implications of their $2.8 million request.
“They were totally irrational,” said Margate resident, Rich Popovic, “They really need a reality check.”
Stranger yet, said Popovic, is that while city officials are looking at ways to close a more than $3 million budget gap for residents, he said, fire union officials were suggesting means by which the city's budget could be cut on one hand, while simultaneously increasing the fire budget on another, essentially negating any potential savings to residents.
"There's so much irrational stuff going on with these unions it's nuts," Popovic said.
Should talks ultimately reach impasse, it's still unlikely that firefighters will get more money, said one city official, because there isn't any - implying you can't get blood from a stone.
Could a breakdown in negotiations lead to binding arbitration and a victory for Margate firefighters such as the three percent pay increase recently granted BSO firefighters?
"Absolutely," said the official.
Fire Department direct salary and wages
Round three of negotiations is scheduled for July 19 at 11:30 am at Margate City Hall.
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