I completely agree. The firefighters now put more of their own money toward retirement for an equal amount of vacation pay. They also agreed to pay more for their cost of health insurance in exchange for less salary cuts.
It seems quite a wash.
I believe what really happened is that the police union finally realized they were losing the public relations battle and the firefighters were now seen as the good guys. It was probably compounded by the failure of all these "other cities who were recruiting Tulsa policemen" to actually offer any of them jobs.
The public turns on you and then plan B doesn't happen and suddenly the cops want to meet with the Mayor again. If I were Bartlett, I would make them kneal down and kiss my shoes at the start of the meeting.
This just in.........
Prominent figure recycleMichaelPatton let's the Police and Mayor know exactly how he would deal with the budgetary crisis that predominates the world of Tulsa Politics.
In his own words he thinks the following would be acceptable behavior if he were having to deal with the Police Department.
"I would make them kneal down and kiss my shoes at the start of the meeting."
(referencing what he refers to as the Tulsa Police Departments' plan b, recycleMichael seems to be saying the police are desperate and out of options)
I have always felt the number of police in a city and how much they are paid is a direct reflection of the problems (crime, hatred, bigotry,addiction, etc.) that have evolved in the city and the lengths to which the citizenry and government are willing to go in correcting said problems and criminal activity.
What I am learning is... that behaving in a repulsive authoritative manor, speaking in ultimatums, and making threats, is just not limited to criminals
and criminal behavior.
To some, this approach will lead to a respected strategy for the resolution of problems.
rico