Justice For Sale..... "How Much do we Budget?"

[Rico]

Hey Kathy This is a Load of Cr#p.....!


Everyone knows the story..

Everyone has seen the paper..

We all remember how good we felt that a Mayor was going to do the Right thing for Tulsa...
Make it a Community where the Police were just not called upon to do their Duty... That the Public's Safety was now going to be "Job One"

"Safety will be my Number 1 Priority...!"
Mayor Kathy Taylor 2006

Anyone on this Board knows that a 4.5% raise is less than the cost of living... When you add in Healthcare for your Family and the fact that the Gas prices have effectively dictated the price of everything from a loaf of bread to a sheet of drywall....
We know that 4.5% barely makes ends meet the last couple of years...

I thought we were through with all this hillbilly logic when Billy left office..

If hubby can donate so much money to an Arena that is going to place more work upon the Police than they now have... Just how far is this little dance of denial going to go...

"Tulsa is open for Business...!"
Mayor Kathy Taylor 2006

True.... Tulsa is open for business...
And if you have watched the Homicide rate this year you might say what kind of Business are we in anyway....?


Hey Kathy.... Put a class of 100 new Police Officers on the Table...?

Hey Kathy.... You really going to feel that positive about bringing in all those influential Business people to Tulsa so they can watch the 10 O'clock shots of the drive bys for the day...?

One last question Madame Mayor....

How do you explain to the crime victims and the surviving parents of an innocent child that just happened to be in the crosshairs of an OG or any other Vato or Loady that we are spending all this money on all of these wonderful business solutions for  Downtown to become a More Beautiful Tulsa??


News Flash

It will not mean a rats behind to those parents and is beginning to mean less to me as this denial that is overtaking Tulsa's City Government attempts to pull the Blinds on The Real World.....

P.J.     You really should give more credit for the help you receive in doing your job from the Politicians that are in a feeding frenzy at the expense of the Citizens...

From The Tulsa World's Very own P J Lasseck.

Mayor first to use election option to decide raise.

For the first time in Tulsa's history, a request for an election has been made to decide the amount of a Police Department pay raise.

Mayor Kathy Taylor filed the election request with the City Clerk's Office late Wednesday afternoon to meet a deadline set by state law.

On Aug. 21, a neutral arbitrator awarded an 8-percent across-the-board raise to be effective Jan. 1, which was the best offer submitted by the Fraternal Order of Police during unsuccessful negotiations with the city. The city offered a 4.5 percent raise.

By law, Taylor had two options: accept the arbitrator's award or ask for an election and let the voters decide between the two options.

"I filed the request for the election to preserve our options so we can continue a dialogue and make a fiscally responsible decision on behalf of all the employees of the city," Taylor said after a special Thursday afternoon meeting of the City Council.

During a 90-minute closed executive session at the meeting, Taylor discussed with city councilors the arbitration award and her request for an election.

More than 50 police officers waited outside the
executive session to see whether action would be taken by the council. Councilors did not discuss the issue in an open meeting.

"We're disappointed that we haven't been granted the award yet," said Darin Filak, president of the Fraternal Order of Police. "A neutral arbitrator looked at all the facts and said that we deserve the raise and the city can afford it."

Filak said this is the second time the city and the FOP have resorted to arbitration on their contract and the first time an election has been requested since the state enacted an election option in the late 1990s.

"We're willing and ready to take the issue to a vote of the people," he said. "We feel confident that the citizens of Tulsa will come out and support us.

"Ultimately, that may be the best outcome for this problem: Let the citizens decide what comes next."

While Filak said the FOP is willing to discuss options, he said it would be "a difficult pill for our membership to swallow if we try to settle for something less than 8 percent unless there is compensation in benefits or something."

"The ball is in her court to make an offer or propose a solution," he said of the mayor. "We've proved our side."

City officials say that accepting the award would add $940,000 to the current budget, which runs from July 1 to June 30.

Budget Director Pat Connelly said the raise would greatly affect next year's budget, when the 8 percent would be for the entire year. "The money just isn't there," he said.

The city still has outstanding contracts with the Tulsa Firefighters Local 176 and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 1180, which represents about 880 labor, trade and emergency communications employees.

Now that the mayor has filed a request for an election with the City Clerk's Office, she has 10 days to call a special election. Once ballot language is agreed upon by the two parties or an arbitration panel, the wording will be sent with an election request to the Election Board, and an election date will be set.

City Attorney Alan Jackere said the city and the FOP can reach a contract agreement up until the day of the election.

[art_cat]

If I lived here, I'd feel embarassed! I can't see where the debate lies; the hassles, not to mention the risks of being a cop, especially with crime on the rise in Tulsa...

Maybe Tulsa's slogan could be:
"Where apathy thrives" ?

[xx(]

[BASleuth]

At least 7 days before Arbitration Board hearing Corporate Authorities (City) and Bargaining Agent (FOP) shall submit to each other and to the arbitration board members a written statement listing all contract terms which the parties have resolved and all contract issues which are unresolved.  Each arbitration statement shall also include a FINAL OFFER on each unresolved issue. The terms and offers contained in the arbitration statement shall be known collectively as EACH PARTY'S LAST BEST OFFER.  11 OS 51-108

The arbitration board may not modify, add to or delete from the last best offer, can only select one of the LAST BEST OFFERS.  The Mayor has ever right NOT to select the arbitration boards decision and submit the issue to a vote of the citizens of Tulsa, BUT that is NOT what it appears this Mayor is attempting to accomplish.  Apparently having lost to the arbitration Board she now wants to re-open negotiations, disregard the Cities Last Best Offer and breach the procedures outlined in the Statutes pertaining to these matters.  There are no provisions to re-open the negotiations, merely submit the rejected issue to the citizens of Tulsa. Appears the City was not bargaining in good faith, apparently they did not put forth their best offer.

[MH2010]

You know, I really gave her a chance. When I met with her before the election as a member of the FOP, she seemed really open to suggestions about how to decrease the crime rate, hire more police officers, and get pay back up to a competitive level.

After the city counsel meeting, now I know that it was all a lie.  Many officers showed up outside the executive session.  At first there were approx. 100 officers but after over an hour of waiting (some officers had to go pick up children from school or go to work) the number droped down to approx. 50.  Officers were there to show our support for the independant arbitrator's decision.  Officers were anticipating that the city council and the mayor were going to come out of executive session and then go into special session to make some recommendations or at least state their positions openly. That did not happen.  After they let the officers in the room, they decided to go into another executive session.

Last year, when the arbitrator decided with the City's offer, officers were upset but at least respected the arbitrator's decision and went back to working as hard as they can for the citizens of Tulsa.  This year,  officers were thrilled when they learned the independent arbitrator had heard all the facts, examined them and then made a decision to side with the FOP's last best offer. Officers assumed that the mayor and the city administrators would respect the arbitrators decision and follow the recommendations. Now, ten days later, we learn that the city administration has chosen to not support the police officers and the mayor is taking the only step she can to not allow this pay raise to take place. She is trying to take this to a vote of the people (hoping that the citizens of Tulsa will decide that the Tulsa police officers are not worthy of an 8 percent raise.)As a result of the city's actions, the moral at the police department is currently the lowest since I have been on the department.

[meeciteewurkor]

I agree.  this is a total load of BS.
This is LaFortune all over again...
The city's LT workforce also won an arbitration only to have it sidestepped by the mayor.

Why the hell have an arbitrator if it's not going to be respected?
I wish the police best of luck.  If history tells us anything, your raises just went down the drain.
Unless, of course, the people vote for you guys.

[waterboy]

Do you guys think the mayor has exhausted all additional sources of funding for an 8% raise? Is there some area you think is less deserving that could be cut to fund the raise?

I'm sure you deserved the raise, I just wonder where the money would come from even if the electorate approves it.

Of course they could merge some departments to effect savings. You know, like RPA and the Parks dept. Seems like that was around $900,000 wasn't it?[:O]

[MH2010]

quote:Originally posted by waterboy

Do you guys think the mayor has exhausted all additional sources of funding for an 8% raise? Is there some area you think is less deserving that could be cut to fund the raise?

I'm sure you deserved the raise, I just wonder where the money would come from even if the electorate approves it.

Of course they could merge some departments to effect savings. You know, like RPA and the Parks dept. Seems like that was around $900,000 wasn't it?[:O]

This was all discussed in the arbitration. For the FOP to win the arbitration, the FOP had to prove two things, 1.) that we deserve the raise (compare our wages to other cities our size) and 2.) that the city can afford to pay for the raise.  When the arbitrator ruled in our favor, he ruled that not only do we deserve the raise but also that the city CAN afford to fund it.

In regards to the city's L.T. workforce, they also were able to prove their position to an independent arbitrator.  However, the city was able to ignore the ruling because the ruling was none binding.  This time the city can't ignore the ruling. They have two choices. They can accept the ruling or take it to the vote of the people.  

I warn everyone not to fall for the city administration's doom and gloom reporting. They tried the same argument in arbitration and we were able to prove that it was false.

In addition, don't fall for the "oh next year, we won't be able to pay for water, the streets will go unfixed, we won't be able to pay for lights, other city workers will be laid off, the sky will fall!" predictions because of the 8% raise.  The FOP and The city negotiate a new contract every year.  It is fluid and things can always be changed.

[Rico]

Islands in the Stream.....


Ballparks in the Sky.........


Arenas on the Moon............


And Criminals with only blanks in their chamber..........

This has been a Public Service Announcement from the City of Tulsa.. inspiration provided by a poem written by our very own Mayor Kathy Taylor....

We Now return you to your regularly scheduled program.....

[waterboy]

Curious she would take such a gamble. Her only success is if the electorate is swayed to vote against it and even in that she loses confidence from TPD and any other govt. employees. Anyone know her reasoning other than we can't afford it?

Did any LaFortune advisers stay on?

[meeciteewurkor]

If she can snuff out the FOP's arbitrator decision, she'll do the same with the LT's.  She is not bargaining in good faith.
I find this strange coming from a Democrat.  I've always thought Dems were pro-labor?

[Double A]

I tried to warn everyone about da Mare. This is exactly what I suspected would come from our mercenary CEO Mare who practices pay to play politics. What did you expect from someone who opposes a minimum wage increase or uses every opportunity she has to bust unions? Someone who cares more about furthering welfare for the wealthy and protecting the wage slave trade of illegal immigration as a source of cheap labor for criminal employers than Oklahoma's working families?

BTW, did you hear about all the jobs dollar thrifty is outsourcing to India?

http://www.therestlessribbon.com/2006/07/dollarthrifty-will-outsource-it-to-eds.html#comments

MAKE LIFE BETTER BITTER

[Rico]

quote:Originally posted by art_cat

If I lived here, I'd feel embarassed! I can't see where the debate lies; the hassles, not to mention the risks of being a cop, especially with crime on the rise in Tulsa...

Maybe Tulsa's slogan could be:
"Where apathy thrives" ?

[xx(]

You know what art_cat... I live in Tulsa and the only thing that I get from this sort of action is the arrogance of the rich...

Personally I could give a rip if there are gangstas on the streets... I moved here from California.... Tulsa is tame in comparison...


Point is if you have some Lady claiming to be the CEO of a City you would think that she had a fairly good business mind...

Jump on some of the sites that tell you about features, attractions,characteristics, etc. of Towns and Cities across America.. You know so that if you get hired or are relocated to a particular community what you can expect and look forward to..  

The crime figures in Tulsa are far and away above that of Pomona California.... At one time known as the Murder Capitol of Califa....

In other words... Your company transfers you and your children to Tulsa... Pack your Uzi..

And start looking for a new employer.. Unless you can afford to live in a Gated Neighborhood with Private Security..

[Kiah]

Just a few questions amid all the bashing . . . .

Isn't this 8% in addition to step increases (which police seem to take for granted, even though other city employees can't)?  Doesn't that make it more like 12%

What about the other 3,200 city employees?  You know, the ones who took pay cuts so the police officers wouldn't have to?

Do you know what the average police seargent makes, by the way?  It might surprise you.

You can't just look at this in isolation, and you can't look at the expense side without considering the revenue.  Where will this money come from, especially if there's any semblance of equity among employees?  You talk about prioritizing public safety, well, we've done that consistently since 2001.  You also make vague assertions, with no specifics, about hidden pots of gold in city coffers.  Those "hidden" pots of gold pay for engineers, street lights, park mowing, firefighters, and on and on . . . .

My guess is that the award will be presented to voters so that a revenue source can be presented with it -- i.e. 'put up or shut up.'

[Rico]

Kiah... I will allow the members of the FOP that are members of this Forum to answer your questions....

Darn Good Questions for a City to ask too...

One as frugal as the COT is with the

taxpayer's $Money$..

Maurice will be glad to see that he has invested in such a cohesive area..





[}:)]

[Rico]

quote:Originally posted by Kiah

Just a few questions amid all the bashing . . . .

Isn't this 8% in addition to step increases (which police seem to take for granted, even though other city employees can't)?  Doesn't that make it more like 12%

What about the other 3,200 city employees?  You know, the ones who took pay cuts so the police officers wouldn't have to?

Do you know what the average police seargent makes, by the way?  It might surprise you.

You can't just look at this in isolation, and you can't look at the expense side without considering the revenue.  Where will this money come from, especially if there's any semblance of equity among employees?  You talk about prioritizing public safety, well, we've done that consistently since 2001.  You also make vague assertions, with no specifics, about hidden pots of gold in city coffers.  Those "hidden" pots of gold pay for engineers, street lights, park mowing, firefighters, and on and on . . . .

My guess is that the award will be presented to voters so that a revenue source can be presented with it -- i.e. 'put up or shut up.'

It was so much nicer when the Forum listed when a post had been edited...

Now you just have to check and see if they still have said exactly the same thing as the first time you read it....


In any event if the City has been "prioritizing safety"

since 2001 exactly what priority does it receive....

You seem to have the inside track on City info...

Buenos Aires...