For more than two years I have been fighting to get the police staffing we were promised under Measure Y. Today, 80 police officers were laid off. The fact that this means the City can, even by its own admission, no longer collect Measure Y taxes, is no consolation.
While I do think that the OPOA should have shown more flexibility, ultimately, the blame is with City Hall. It is the City's obligation to manage its finances, to provide us with an appropriately sized police force, and not give away the store to excessive salary and benefit demands. Yes, the unions are greedy. But it is management's responsibility to say "no." Our elected officials have utterly failed us. Now, it is our responsibility to get rid of them, not reward them with a promotion!
A few weeks ago, they blamed OPOA for "fear mongering." But you just wait till they start campaigning for the new parcel tax and the "Measure Y fix." Then the real fear mongering will begin, and if the taxes don't pass, the City will blame us. But I know that the blood will be on their hands.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
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News reports that the city council laid off 80 police do not convey the destruction of public safety in Oakland. It is really 200 to 300. For the full scope of the disaster, go to
ReplyDeletehttp://www.orpn.org/layoff_folly3.htm
Charles,
ReplyDeleteWhy should the OPOA make concessions: a) there is not police union in the surrounding districts that is not contributing at least 9% to retirement (all are in the same pay scale), b) if given the choice between letting my brother take a 10% cut or a permanent 100% cut, I would opt for the former everyday of the week and twice on Sunday, and c) had they made some concessions and council took some constructive steps to put us on the path to fiscal responsibility (i.e. cut Kids First) some us might have been inclined to support a temporary tax.