Oakland police layoff talks go down to the wire

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

OAKLAND -- Oakland officials and the police union negotiated into the night Monday in an attempt to avoid the layoffs of 80 of the city's 776 officers, which could take place at 5 p.m. today.

...With Oakland desperate to cut its public safety costs to balance its budget, the police union has agreed to two key city proposals - that officers contribute part of their salaries toward their pensions [like the rest of city workers, they will contribute 9% toward retirement] and that the retirement age be pushed back for future hires.

However, the two sides were at an impasse over a police union proposal that the City Council ensure that no officers will be laid off for three years. Council members say that even worse budget problems loom for Oakland beyond 2010 and that they can't afford to make any such promises.

...The council voted last month to lay off more than 10 percent of the police force to cope with what officials describe as an unprecedented financial crisis. The $407 million general fund budget for the fiscal year that began July 1 represents a decline of $69 million since 2005, and public safety now accounts for three-fourths of discretionary spending.

With the average officer's salary and benefits totaling $188,000 a year, City Councilman Ignacio De La Fuente, a union leader himself, has described the situation as "unsustainable."

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/07/12/MN3A1EDACT.DTL#ixzz0tbbAVJou

[Ban Hammer 13,349]

that bolded line - i've seen similar claims in the military, where the yearly salary is say, 24k, but zomg with all your benefits and this and that you're making 72k!

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

that bolded line - i've seen similar claims in the military, where the yearly salary is say, 24k, but zomg with all your benefits and this and that you're making 72k!

I did pretty good on 2LT's pay, especially with all the per diem going TDY. I made enough to put a down payment on a house in the SF Bay Area.

Oakland says after they deal with the cops, the fire fighters are next. This will probably be the model for city governments everywhere.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

that bolded line - i've seen similar claims in the military, where the yearly salary is say, 24k, but zomg with all your benefits and this and that you're making 72k!

I heard this estimate about a decade ago. The average troop serving in combat costs around $140,000/year. That number was being used to justify the large number of mercenaries/private security the State Department was hiring, instead of using Marines in their usual embassy roles.

[justashooter 430]

I heard this estimate about a decade ago. The average troop serving in combat costs around $140,000/year. That number was being used to justify the large number of mercenaries/private security the State Department was hiring, instead of using Marines in their usual embassy roles.

marines are like oak trees. it takes time to grow decent timber. all this time has to be paid for somehow.

mercs are just military junkies who cannot adjust to life in denims. they have their place, and have good training and discipline, in general. leaving them wanting a job is wasting good timber. i have been offered beaucoup for this kind of work stateside, (and was recently offered nearly as much for a QA mgr posting at a nuke plant in tenessee that is refurbing under stimulus package), but am looking at RNP as final goal, and either option would just be a waste of my time.

[^_^ 5,021]

marines are like oak trees. it takes time to grow decent timber. all this time has to be paid for somehow.

mercs are just military junkies who cannot adjust to life in denims. they have their place, and have good training and discipline, in general. leaving them wanting a job is wasting good timber. i have been offered beaucoup for this kind of work stateside, (and was recently offered nearly as much for a QA mgr posting at a nuke plant in tenessee that is refurbing under stimulus package), but am looking at RNP as final goal, and either option would just be a waste of my time.

Not to knock nurses, but QA manager at a nuke plant sounds like a lot more fun.

[justashooter 430]

Not to knock nurses, but QA manager at a nuke plant sounds like a lot more fun.

the QA mgr position is a 4 year position in tenessee. it includes about $85-95K plus $90-120 per diem for the first 6 months. i have a home in pennsylvania that i am not willing to leave. my boys, in their 20's, just moved back to town, so i am having a blast with them. life is good, 4.0 in school, why rock the boat and get older filing forms in compliance with asme code and nuke code, and spend my day kicking road whores in the #### for failing to show up and do their work? RNP is gonna be much better. just done with industry.

[^_^ 5,021]

the QA mgr position is a 4 year position in tenessee. it includes about $85-95K plus $90-120 per diem for the first 6 months. i have a home in pennsylvania that i am not willing to leave. my boys, in their 20's, just moved back to town, so i am having a blast with them. life is good, 4.0 in school, why rock the boat and get older filing forms in compliance with asme code and nuke code, and spend my day kicking road whores in the #### for failing to show up and do their work? RNP is gonna be much better. just done with industry.

gotcha.

good luck.