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Health Insurance Jacksonville Florida

ready to Jacksonville police, fire unions to fight orders

Jacksonville's police and fire unions against wage cuts, Increased Health Insurance and pension reform fight at the bargaining table with the work of city officials.

Now the unions are members of the planning to the Pony to finance their own money - the increase in fees for the fight.

The 2,400-member Fraternal Order of Police endorsed a monthly fee of $ 10 for to increase one year, which is expected to generate more than $ 300,000.

The Firefighter Union 1200 members will be asked in January to be in an additional to raise $ 30 per month for three months to kick $ 100,000 for the negotiations and legal assistance.

"We defend what we feel, we have negotiated for over the years, "Fire Union President Randy Wyse said.

More than 90 percent of FOP members approved to increase the motion, said Union President Nelson Cuba.

"That tells you our members believe in their leadership and the issues we deal," said Cuba.

Both Unions expect to pay long contract negotiations and are lawyers and other professionals. While "unprecedented" cuts are not on the table, contract talks often six to nine months.

The city wants the automatic raises public safety employees get freeze based on their years of service, and a reduction in pension benefits for new employees.

Both Wyse and Cuba were re-elected without opposition, elected this month to two years, so there is a consistent presence at the negotiating table during the negotiations.

The unions also point out the city also gives special attention to their negotiations. Since 1988, the city attorney Leonard Carson, Tallahassee paid work with the FOP and fire has to negotiate trade unions.

The Carson City paid $ 109,000 in the budget year that ended in September, and is likely to pay more because this year the number of meetings probably necessary to get a contract done.

Carson is as one of the top labor lawyers in Florida known, has a solid working relationship with local unions and is a valuable member of the city negotiating team, said city Human Resources Chef Chad Poppell.

Cuba says he will hire a forensic accountant to consider the city's financial situation and plans on using a independent actuary in the city pension estimates deepen.

He also added a different place at the table in negotiations last week: a court reporter document the conversation.

"This is to protect both sides," said Cuba.

Negotiations with both unions in the middle December resume

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