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The importance of skilled, professional law enforcement union representation is best illustrated by contracts. The most important element of any labor agreement is pay. Similarly, the value any community places on the job performed by its police officers is most accurately reflected in paycheck amounts. Taken together in the national picture, these facts spotlight some amazing contrasts. For others, the news is far from good. Case in point: St. Petersburg, Florida. The Labor Relations Information System recently reported that one in 10 officers quit this Gulf Coast city's police department last year, raising significant concerns about the force's ability to respond quickly to emergency calls and to "connect" with the residents it serves. Former St. Petersburg officers cite poor pay as a primary factor in this trend, which has further depressed already low morale. They point out that other agencies in the same county - many of them smaller - offer higher salaries and better benefits. "Men and women who embark on law enforcement careers certainly have other goals in mind, such as serving the community and protecting its citizens. However, they rightfully expect to be compensated fairly for the job they perform." Of specific interest to Michigan Association of Police members is the contrast between the $30,077 paid to first-year officers in St. Petersburg and the $35,102 rate that starting public safety officers now receive in Grosse Pointe Park, thanks to a new MAP contract. It is noteworthy that the St. Petersburg department is some 100 times larger than Grosse Pointe Park's and services a community whose wealth is at least comparable. It also is noteworthy that, under existing conditions, veteran officers in St. Petersburg cannot look forward to receiving paychecks nearly as high as the $63,891 veteran Sterling Heights officers will receive by 2005 via a MAP contract that was ratified last year. "The figures certainly send a message," said MAP Executive Director Fred Timpner. "Some people, the majority of them management, like to say that 'it's not about the money.' Well, it is about the money." "Men and women who embark on law enforcement careers certainly have other goals in mind, such as serving the community and protecting its citizens. However, they rightfully expect to be compensated fairly for the job they perform. They also understand that the amount of money they are paid is the most meaningful expression of the community's appreciation for their work." Further on the subjects of money and contracts, dollars that are paid - or not paid - by officers for fundamental benefits merit consideration. Case in point: El Paso, Texas. Also as recently reported by the Labor Relations Information System, this west Texas city's police union may attempt to renegotiate a tentative contract agreement because of growing dissatisfaction with health care benefits. The primary beef is an increase in premiums from $155 to $222 a month for family coverage. The union's members are understandably concerned with paying $800 a year more, to a total of $2,664, for this essential protection. You don't have to be an accountant to recognize that this amount would be subtracted from the officers' take-home earnings. If you are a MAP member, you are appalled by the idea that any payments are required for officers to maintain health care coverage. MAP contracts include no premium sharing for this vital insurance. |
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