Can't concessions be temporary with city unions for budget cuts?

I agree, Hockeyfan. Particularly when nearly everyone else in the community is suffering from cut hours, salaries, layoffs, etc. I think council keeps buckling and wants to raise refuse fees, etc. so they don't have to do the right thing and incur the wrath of the unions. I have nothing against unions, but when the economy is suffering so much, when people are trying to make ends meet, they can hardly afford raised fees just because the police and fire won't take temporary cuts.

I, too, have experienced mostly rude Toledo police officers. A few years ago, when I was pulling out of my driveway, I interrupted some Hell's Angels type thugs racing their motorcycles down my street.They were furious they had to slow down for me, so they decided to surround my car so that I couldn't move, then they started pounding on my windows and and car. I called the police on my cell phone, and the captain had the gall to say to me, "What did you do to them? You must have done something to get them so upset." Then didn't send any help. I had to sit there at the side of the road while they kicked in my car doors and hoped they wouldn't pull me through the windows. I protested to my councilman the next day, and he and police reviewed the 911 tapes, etc. They said the captain was just following protocol and did nothing wrong. Total BS! Another time, as I left my house to go to work in the pouring rain, I noticed an officer under an umbrella in my backyard. He had white hair and was older. I asked him if I could help him. He said my phone was automatically calling 911. I told him my phone was not working that morning and I had called the phone company on my cell to report it. He started to scream at me and said I had better get it to stop or he would have to haul me in. He was practically spitting at me. I guess he was pissed that he had to haul his ugly old ass out of the cruiser in the rain. I thought about asking for his name and badge no. to report him, but I thought it would be hard to do that to someone in authority with a gun. And my yard is pretty isolated by privacy fence. If getting out of the rain set him off, God knows what would have happened if I had asked for his name and badge no. Yet when I have to deal with police in the suburbs, they're much nicer, for the most part.

The cut in salary and benefits would only be temporary. I don't see why they can't agree to do this. On the other hand, I think Carty could find some fat in his administration, too.

Good point, hockey. When I was finishing college I worked for a company that was unionized and doing pretty bad financially due to rapid growth into areas that weren't profitable. All the workers agreed to take a 5% pay cut for a year so that the company could regain financial footing. The next year the employees got the 5% back and a decent raise.

I was also wondering if anyone has heard any chatter about cutting the pay of other city employees and representatives? I would rather the city looked to cut mayoral/representative pay as well as those who work meaningless desk jobs before they try to dispute the wages of firefighters and police officers.

Renegade: I would have run over the bikers. Idiots want to attack you in your car, then they deal with the consequences.

Why can't the unions agree to a concession in salary and benefits for a contract that lasts only one year?

Most likely because the unions are smart enough to look at the people theyre negotiating with and their past performance.

How many times have the citizens of Toledo/Lucas county agreed to something that was "temporary", only to be lied to?

3/4% "Temporary" income tax? Now in it's third decade?

"Temporary" garbage "assessment" - now instead of going away it will be INCREASED?

No - I fuggin hate the unions, but they have good reason not to go for anything 'temporary' with the city.

That is the worst thing about having a dispute with police. Who in their right mind wants to take on the police department. Even "joe the plumber" had his privacy invaded for being on TV, imagine what "coincidences" against you might happen then.

As far as being screwed by the city, that is the problem when you've screwed people in the past, it comes back to haunt you when you really need help.

What a complete mess.

Fuck the toledo police. Totally worthless. They just look for easy money for the government, about their only function any more. Not just toledo, either.

On the other hand, I have nothing but respect for the firemen and garbage collectors.

Bad news for the doughnut shops around toledo if they layoff too many police.

Don't forget 7-11, they're gonna suffer too. 8-)