Jan. 14--Miami-Dade County issued pink slips to scores of employees Friday, more than a week after county commissioners rejected the mayor's controversial plan to increase healthcare costs for members of two unions.
Among those targeted for layoffs in the ongoing political brinksmanship: 118 police officers. Seventeen corrections officers are slated to get layoff notices next week, in addition to 282 other county employees. The powerful union representing police officers hinted at legal action.
In an email to Miami-Dade police staff, Director Jim Loftus wrote that "in a department with a history of dark and difficult days, this one is unique. Never before have so many of our finest left us under these circumstances."
"To everyone impacted by this layoff, my heart goes out to you. My family and I will keep you in our prayers."
The office of Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez did not release the number of layoff notices handed out Friday.
Earlier, the administration had said that at least 154 police officers and 145 corrections officers likely would lose their jobs.
"I'm pretty bummed out right now," said officer Ryan Cowart, of the Miami-Dade Kendall District, whose father also is getting laid off.
"There is a line of guys at my station alone, I think they said like 16 being affected," said Cowan, 28, who drove to the station Friday evening to receive his pink slip.
"I just made my mortgage payment today. It may be the last mortgage payment I make."
Hope, however, is not lost for those who received layoff notices.
The layoffs do not take effect for 21 days, giving county commissioners time to reconsider their controversial vote at the Jan. 24 meeting.
Mayor Carlos Gimenez vetoed the commission's vote Wednesday, but said he would proceed with the first wave of layoff notices in case commissioners override his veto. An override by nine of the 13 commissioners would force the layoffs.
UNLIKELY
However, the override appears unlikely. A split commission voted 7-6 to reject Gimenez's proposal to require employees to contribute an additional 5 percent of their pay toward healthcare, bringing their total contribution to 10 percent.
A majority of the commissioners agreed with leaders and members of the unions who said the 5-percent giveback was unacceptable after the unions had already made other substantial cuts and concessions.
Gimenez's county budget, which commissioners approved in September, lowered the property tax rate by factoring in $239 million in union concessions. That sparked months of tense negotiations.
IMPASSE
Once the unions hit an impasse on the extra 5 percent, both sides agreed commissioners would have the final say, said Greg Blackman, president of the Government Supervisors Association of Florida OPEIU Local 100, which represents nearly 4,600 county professional employees and supervisors.
The mayor's veto, Blackman said Friday before the layoff notices were issued, feels unfair.
"We still feel that that was not what we had signed up for," he said.
"Whatever legal things that we can do, we're going to pursue."
DEEP CUTS
Gimenez called for $74 million in cuts from the Miami-Dade Police Benevolent Association.
A new contract, struck in early December, slashed certain incentive pay and overtime costs for officers while imposing fees for take-home cars.
The deal, however, only saved $56 million, leaving the commission with the tough task of cutting another $18 million by charging officers another 5 percent in healthcare costs.
On Friday, before layoff notices went out, PBA President John Rivera sent Gimenez a warning letter saying the newly ratified contract called for both sides to meet to hash out exactly how to lay off officers.
"Therefore, it is premature to issue any layoff notices," Rivera wrote.
Late Friday, Loftus, the police director, issued a memo outlining the merging of certain bureaus and shifting around of command and administrative staff.
For example, the Uniform Services Bureau was abolished, and its officers, who patrol certain airport, marinas and events and man air, sea and special response units, now will perform the same duties but will answer to another major.
CHANGES
If the layoffs go through, the department will likely disband certain community policing and crime-prevention units, forcing senior officers back on the road to fill the vacancies left by the younger cops. That would also mean the demotions of a slew of sergeants and lieutenants.
In an email to the rank-and-file on Friday, the union also hinted at filing legal action if those demotions take place.
"This is a violation of our contract and the PBA is preparing legal action against the county that will be filed at the appropriate times," the email says.
Copyright 2012 - The Miami Herald
