Tiffin fire, police unions offer concessions
City Council to consider them this eveningBy Kevin Risner, krisner@advertiser-tribune.com
When Tiffin City Council meets in special session this evening, two memorandums of understanding are to be on the table. The Tiffin firefighters union and the Tiffin police union are offering concessions to reduce the need for layoffs within their departments.
Three firefighters and three police officers who would have been laid off are to remain on duty if City Council approves the concessions this evening as expected.
"I am grateful for what the unions have done," Tiffin Mayor Jim Boroff said. "They both have been magnanimous in their approach. It's a real demonstration on the part of the unions there that they are willing to make things work. They have the safety and welfare of Tiffin at heart. It's been a long process for everybody."
George Morgan, vice president of firefighters local 322, said the safety and welfare of Tiffin residents was a factor in the decision of his union to offer concessions. Preventing layoffs for union members also was key.
"On behalf of the union we were actually thankful we were able to get a chance to make concessions to save jobs," Morgan said. "In years past with some other layoffs, they happened before the departments weren't really given a chance. We're actually glad we're able to get that chance to make concessions to save as many jobs as we can."
Morgan said he expects to be on hand this evening when City Council reviews the memorandum of understanding offered by his union. He said union president Eric Boeser also likely is to be at the meeting if he is available.
The firefighters are to accept a 2 percent temporary wage reduction for each of its members. The two firefighers with the least seniority are to remain on probationary status through the duration of the agreement.
One firefighter is to remain on layoff. Holiday pay is to not be affected by the concession agreement.
The agreement also outlines steps for restoring union members back to full force and pre-concession benefit status.
The police union is offering to accept a 1 percent temporary wage reduction for each of its members and uniform allowances are to be reduced by $500 for each member. Boroff said the reduction in uniform allowance alone should save the city about $14,000.
The memorandum of understanding from the police union also outlines steps for restoring the force to full staffing and full benefits.
"The union was able to approach the city and offer some concessions in order to save three of our officers," Sgt. Aaron Russell of the Ohio Patrolmen's Benevolent Association said. "The cuts made were deep and devastating to us as a department and as family. We are allotted 31 officers, but were only staffed with 30 since 2004. The first round of layoffs, effective May 3, 2009, reduced us to 29 and this final round laid three more officers off, and one additional (officer) volunteered to go on furlough for a year to save someone else's job, thus reducing us to 25 officers. This final round would have reduced the police department's manning by 20 percent.
"When a department is already understaffed according to national standards-2.3 Officers per 1,000 residents, FBI Uniformed Crime Report, Table 70-the additional cuts of 20 percent make it extremely difficult function effectively. While the union members unanimously voted to bring back a portion of what was cut we are still short on positions and are trying to bring the last member of our family back from lay off status."
Boroff said he intends to meet with representatives from both unions, along with the third union representing part of the city's employees, as the financial outlook improves. He said he wants each of the bargaining groups to have a role in how the city transitions back to full staffing.
"With both unions, as things get better, we will restore positions as evenly as we can across the board," Boroff said. "My intention is as things turn around, as soon as we start bringing people back, I intend to get all three unions in the room at the same time-the union leadership-to say what we are planning on doing. If there are any questions or concerns or anything I want to get them aired at the time, so everybody is on board."
Boroff said Tiffin City Council is to be asked to approve the two memorandums of understanding by resolution.
