Cop union will vote on city's final offer

CLEVELAND (AP) -- The city has presented the police union with its final offer, which, if approved, would save some of the 260 police layoffs that were planned to trim a budget deficit.
The two sides announced the deal late Thursday after a long day of closed-door negotiations before a judge who was considering a request to halt the layoffs.
Police union President Bob Beck said the offer is not a tentative agreement like the ones the firefighters union and rescue employees union were taking back to their memberships. He did not endorse the offer.
"What we have is the city's final offer to us and we are duty bound by our oath of office to bring it to our members for consideration and a vote," Beck said late Thursday.
Mayor Jane Campbell said in a statement that the offer would save a significant number of police jobs. The city would provide no other information until after it is voted on within the next two weeks. The police layoffs will be put on hold until Jan. 4.
Key issues
Beck said earlier Thursday that one focus of the talks was giving up a police uniform allowance, a tactic which helped save firefighter jobs.
Another key issue was recall rights of laid-off officers who might be first in line for restored jobs if city finances improve.
Earlier Thursday a tentative agreement was reached to save the jobs of 80 of 150 city firefighters and all 21 paramedics facing layoffs.
Under the deal covering firefighters, the city would save money through more schedule flexibility and through reduced uniform allowances. The firefighters union said the remaining 70 layoffs would be put on hold until at least Jan. 4 to allow a rank-and-file ratification vote.
"I think this is a winner for the citizens of Cleveland," Fire Chief Kevin Gerrity said.
He said guidelines for recalling laid-off firefighters as positions open could restore some cuts.
"While it's unfortunate that we do have to lay 70 people off here, we've got a commitment and plan in place to get them back and operate the fire department in a safe manner," he said.
Bob Fisher, the president of the union representing firefighters, said he had mixed emotions because safety would be improved by limiting the layoffs but 70 jobs would still be eliminated.
Campbell announced last month that 700 city workers would be let go as part of a budget-balancing plan. She blamed reduced city income tax collections as private-sector jobs were lost.
The proposed police cuts represent 15 percent of the city's 1,817 police officers. The city has 992 firefighters.
The 21 paramedic jobs due to be cut were spared Wednesday night with a tentative agreement between the city and the Cleveland Association of Rescue Employees. The city has about 231 paramedics.
The settlement details were withheld pending a ratification vote.