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LEANORA MINAIOfficers seek a 10 percent raise for three consecutive years. The city offers 3 percent for the first year.
ST. PETERSBURG - The largest pay increase ever sought by St. Petersburg police officers was rejected Thursday by city officials who say the proposed salary package would force deep cuts in other departments.
Officers wanted a new contract with a 10 percent pay increase in each of three consecutive years. The increase would have cost the city at least $2.3-million more in base officer salaries in the first year.
During Thursday's bargaining session with the police union, Karen Richardson, the city's labor relations manager, pitched a 3 percent raise the first year and 2.5 percent in the second and third years.
"It's lousy," said Officer Roy Olsen, a 24-year veteran. "The work's not getting any easier, and we're getting busier."
The city's offer would cost at least $704,856 more in officer base pay in the first year of the contract.
The Police Benevolent Association, the union that represents 439 officers and detectives and about 16 forensic technicians and latent print examiners in St. Petersburg, will give the city another pay offer in a few weeks.
Both sides acknowledge their demands are not the best and final offers.
"It's a give-and-take process," said Andy Houston, internal services administrator.
The current contract expires Sept. 30, but there's a sense of urgency to this three-year agreement.
The Police Department has struggled to stay competitive with other agencies that offer better pay and benefits. It led agencies statewide in attrition in 2001 and 2002, according to the latest state data, so this contract could encourage or slow departures.
During Thursday's contract talks, pay at other agencies was touched on briefly by Bill LauBach, executive director of the police union.
He gave city officials a list with pay scales at other Pinellas County agencies. Clearwater and Largo offer higher entry annual wages than St. Petersburg's $34,810. Tampa pays $38,126.
"They have to make up their minds whether they want to be the best paid or not the best paid police department in Pinellas County," LauBach said.
City Council members, with advice from Mayor Rick Baker, ultimately approve the police contract. The negotiations, which began Jan. 27, come during city budget preparations for 2005.
Baker referred an interview request to Houston, the internal services administrator, who said a 3 percent pay increase for police has been plugged into the proposed city budget. The budget will be voted on in September.
To give officers 10 percent raises would require "very deep cost reductions elsewhere," Houston said.
He said other cities can afford to pay officers more because they generate more property tax revenue than St. Petersburg.
Sergeants and lieutenants are under a separate contract with the Fraternal Order of Police. That union, which has 67 members, has asked for an 8 percent raise the first year and 7 percent in the second and third years.
- Leanora Minai can be reached at 727 893-8406 or minai@sptimes.com