Posted on June - 24 - 2011
Providence police layoffs averted
PROVIDENCE – The Providence Police have agreed to six years without a raise in order to avert 78 layoffs.
The city, which cut the police and fire departments’ budgets by 10 percent in an effort to tackle its $110 million structural deficit, will still achieve its $6 million in savings through “retirement incentives,” raise freezes, and changes to the officers’ benefits, a news release said.
The final language of the agreement has not been finalized, a spokesman for the city said noting that further details will be available next week.
In a news release, the city said if the department reduces its budget in excess of $6 million through structural savings in fiscal 2012, $1.5 million will be dispersed to the officers as one-time stipends in fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2014. The police will receive a salary increase of 4 percent in fiscal 2014.
The agreement also outlines a “retirement incentive” to encourage 35 to 40 eligible officers to retire this year. Savings will also be achieved through changes to benefits, the city said without specifying the changes.
The police, who have been without a contract since 2007, have entered into contracts through fiscal 2015.
“With this agreement, we avert layoffs and keep more officers on patrol in our neighborhoods, where we need them the most. I commend FOP [Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 3] President Taft Manzotti and the men and women of the police department for making a very real sacrifice to save our city,” said Taveras.
Similar Posts:
- R.I. tax revenue better than expected
- Labor dispute at The Westin Providence appears to be headed toward conclusion
- The Roth IRA is ideal to your strategy of retirement investment
- Providence Business News seeks candidates for CFO awards
- R.I. Senate approves civil unions
