Cha-ching! Mayor gets $40k pay raise, unions get mad

Cha-ching! Mayor gets $40k pay raise, unions get mad
By George P. Hassett

Hefty pay raises for city politicians caused police and fire unions, who have not seen  raises in almost three years, to picket City Hall this week.
    More than 100 members of the city's patrol officer and firefighter unions picketed City Hall for the second time this month Thursday. Officials for both unions said Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone has not acted in good faith in trying to negotiate and said they will continue to picket until they secure contracts. Both unions are in their third year without a contract.

    “We’re going to use guerilla tactics,” said Jay Colbert, head of the fire union. “When the mayor goes someplace we’ll be there protesting. We’re getting more committed to this by the hour.”
At the close of Thursday’s Board of Aldermen meeting, aldermen approved pay hikes for themselves, the school committee and the mayor. Curtatone’s salary will increase beginning with the new year from $85,000 to $124,500, aldermen’s salaries will increase from $18,910 to $25,000 and pay for school committee members will go from $7,700 to $10, 507.
    Colbert and Jack Leutcher, president of the patrolmen’s union, said they are not opposed to the pay raises but are angered at their negotiations with the city. The raises were “the straw that broke the camels back,” Colbert said.
   Leutcher said his union has submitted two written proposals that addressed all the major points of contention while the city has not offered anything in writing.
  “Joe Curtatone’s idea of negotiating is to offer nothing,” he said. “We’re not picketing because of the police re-organization proposals, pay raises, or health insurance costs. We’re picketing because the city won’t even negotiate.”
   Leuchter said officers are disappointed that the mayor has offered only a two-year contract. They want at least a three-year deal. Unions and city administration officials said another major sticking point is the city's request that the union members contribute more to their healthcare coverage.  Curtatone spokesperson Thomas P. Champion said nonunion city employees began contributing 15 percent of their health expenses earlier this year. Fire and patrol officers are paying 10 percent.
Colbert said a 50 percent hike in insurance costs would mean the firefighters, who he said were being offered 1 and 2 percent raises in contract negotiations, probably would not break even.
   At Thursday’s protest, Ward 6 Alderman Rebekah Gewirtz would not cross the picket line and enter City Hall. She stood outside until the demonstration was concluded.
   The pickets have already created controversy. At the Oct. 18 picket, Officer Bruce Campbell, a 30 year veteran of the city’s police force, marched to support his union and was consequently dismissed from a coveted position in the department, Leutcher said. Campbell had been the city’s liquor license officer, responsible for supervising the city’s liquor licenses. Leutcher said Curtatone removed Campbell from the position after seeing him participate in the protest. At Thursday’s protest, marching officers carried signs reading, “Remember Bruce.”
   The measure granting pay raises to the mayor, aldermen, and school committee members was passed by the Board of Aldermen without much opposition. Only Alderman-at-Large William A. White voted no on a measure proposed by Ward 3 Alderman Thomas F. Taylor increasing the mayor’s salary from $110,000 to $124,000.
    “One of the roles of the Board of Aldermen is to determine appropriate levels of spending,” White said. “Small amounts of money can add up and become large amounts of money by the end of the year.”
    The raises for elected officials are part of a larger effort to standardize pay rates for non-union city employees. The Municipal Compensation Advisory Board studied employee salaries of 10 nearby cities and towns and returned to the Board of Aldermen a set of recommended pay ranges that would increase wages for city workers from the animal control officer on up to the mayor’s chief of staff.
    Colbert said the increases in pay for elected officials in particular send a chilling message about Curtatone’s commitment to public safety.
   “Public safety doesn't seem to be an issue to this administration,” he said. “We know there have been cuts in local aid under Romney but the money is coming back now and it's going to a small group of politicians. Why can't it go to keeping people in the city safe?”

      
   

Comments

[brickbottom]

"Only Alderman-at-Large William A. White voted no on a measure proposed by Ward 3 Alderman Thomas F. Taylor increasing the mayor’s salary from $110,000 to $124,000."

It seems that the Municipal Compensation Advisory Board advised the Bored of Alderman that the Mayor should be paid $110.000. So why would Taylor go against their recommedations to bump the Mayor's salary up? Is he that desperate and anxious for the Mayor's support when election time comes? Or was this a Thank you for the Mayor's past support?

[Hey, why not?...]

brickbottom;

Why not ask to kick it up a few bucks. It isn't coming out of taylor's pocket. What does he care. He's the senior alderman now so he can do whatever he wants. Plus Joe did help him when he needed it most and plus they're good friends. Unlike in the SPD, on the BOA seniority rules.

[Thurston Howell III]

"Show me the Money" !! How did SK and the DPW miss out on this windfall ? The DPW yard was paved today.....in gold!! Trick or treat came early, Treats for City Hall, flamming bags of POO for the SPD and SFD....BOO

[Sucks being in management, doesn't it?...]

Rebekah Gewirtz sent a very bad message in my opinion. Now, don't get me wrong here. I am all for the public safety guys getting equitable and decent pay raises and I think it's beyond contempt that this Mayor is not negotiating with them in good faith. He should be ashamed and is certainly no friend of labor.

However, the aldermen, like the mayor, are elected to look after the citizens of Somerville. Part of that is ensuring that the taxpayer's receive the greatest possible value for their tax dollars.

If an alderman cannot realize that going to work to speak for the citizens is what they are elected to do, then maybe they're in the wrong business.

By all means, Rebekah, if you want to support the firefighters, go right ahead. But remember one thing: When you step inside the Alderman's chambers, you are there as an elected official, NOT a labor activist or negotiator. YOU are MANAGEMENT, like it or not. That's the way the game is played. That's what people elected you for. Get used to it.

[City Hall Nose]

Man Boobs, did the appointees get an extra weeks vacation for giving into the Health Cost Benefit increase? You ask me, I'd rather have the weeks vaca for a lousey $20 a month increase.

[Whinebags]

Who here commenting makes less than 100K??? Nobody if you are a cop or firefighter. We feel really bad for you. NOT.

[Teacher]

most make less than 100k. Thats why we work extra doing details paid for by the contrators, NOT the city MORON. The totals in the other rag are not our city salaries. So go out and haunt a house.

[brickbottom]

Teacher,

And then the contractor attaches the price of the detail onto the bill which is paid by the city which eventually comes out of the taxpayers pocket.

We are not stupid.

[TeachersToo]

Good point Teachers. So, you make all that extra dough, $100K+ from working details paid by contractors, out of the taxpayers pockets. You still make over $100k, and whine, and it costs us TAXPAYERS. And you say I am the MORON.....That's just too funny. Nobody feels bad for you. Picket and whine all you want, you are OVERPAID. The Mayor would be an idiot to fold to you guys. Do your F*&^ing job and collect your huge paycheck and shut up.

[Sabot]

If somebody told me that eliminating all police details would drop the my price of my phone, cable, utilities, etc X amount of dollars and these prices would stay down I'd say fine get rid of them.

We know that wouldn't happen. The price you pay for these things is fixed by supply and demand, not police details. Absent any details you'd still be paying the same amount with the difference going back to CEO's and corporations rather than working stiffs.

Listen to your scanner some day. People are saved from car crashes by detail officers. Fleeing criiminals captured by these officers. To quote Deval Patrick (speaking of where money came from to pay certain things) it's all a shell game.

These multi-billion dollar corporations are subsizing cities by putting more cops on the streets at any given time. I'd rather pay them than into the CEO of Verizon's golden parachute.

Brickbottom, I'm sure we disagree here bit let's not go at each other's throat. Like you, I'm sure, I'm thinking of Officer Trant on this All Hallows Eve and of the ghouls and goblins who fired him without any solid evidence they are willing to share with the people they serve.

The Star Chamber that snared this kid is even more frightening on Halloween!

[Sabot]

TechersToo,

You said, "The Mayor would be an idiot to fold to you guys."

Here I was thinking he was an idiot without folding.

[brickbottom]

Teachers Too,

Police Officers are not overpaid by any means. So they make a few extra bucks on the side doing details. Let's just be honest where that money comes from. They wouldn't have to work details if their base salary was was in line with the risks they have to go through on any given night or day. Sure a Police Officer may do nothing for a period of time then all of a sudden they are fighting for their lives or a citizens life.

The next time someone is robbing you or trying to break into your house or something worse then why don't you call your overpaid politician for help. I'm sure they will be able to come to your aid in a day or two!

Teachers Too you sound like you wouldn't have the balls to do what the Police in this city or other cities do on a daily basis. Just because you don't have the intellectual enlightment to obtain a descent paycheck your angry rants are directed at the wrong people.

[brickbottom]

Sabot,

All charges for the cost of anything always does and always will end up going to the rich. I totally agree with you.

On some other points I don't...it's human nature to disagree. That's life. I am not here to go after any Patrolman's throat and especially not yours. We agree on most subjects, especially Officer Trant. As a matter of fact I was thinking about him when I passed the Trant house tonight.

I would really like to have lunch with you to discuss a few things!

[TeachersToo/Cop]

Brick, sorry to burst your bubble but I absolutely am a cop. Cuffs, badge, mace, vest, gun...etc. No disrespect to cops obviously, but you and Sabot need your own website where you can bash the administration and try to get the taxpayers to feel bad for people who make well over $100K a year. Myself included. Sorry but it is what it is. I happen to love my job and love serving the people I took the oath to serve. At rollcall tomorrow, I will be there and ready to serve the public 100%, will you?

[Sabot]

What the hell is she talking about? First you say "The Mayor would be an idiot to fold to you guys." Now you say you're a cop, meaning you're one of those "guys."

Roses are red,
violets are blue,
I'm a schizophrenic
And so am I

Get back on your meds. I'll see you at rollcall.

[Hasnt Ben Sober]

Flecing the taxpayers.......Flag men are used in every other state in the country except M ASS a Chusetts..The utility companies pay ridiculous amounts of money to every police department throughout the Glorious Commonwealth including the Staties.....So think about it 357 communities times 30000.00 a month ( an average monthly invoice for mas electric national grid to pay to any local city do the math numb nuts that is alot of cash every freakin year......and don't think for a moment that the company pays the freight .....the rate payers foot the bill for those juciy detail checks that the coppers take home......If flag men were used like in every other state the savings would be dramatic and the savings would be passed along to the rate payers........But this is like beating a dead horse errr....I mean a sacred cow the police unions would never allow it to get through the legilature......Vinny "The Greaser" would grease a few guys up on the Hill and so it would be........Hey someone from somerville tell howie Carr that "Whitey Bulger the Homo Rat bastard " that he is has been living up in Maine for the last 7 years at a place up at Nubble point called REAMASS ON THE ROCKS.......Having a GAY old time for himself////aaaaahhhhhh whitey the faggot that he is.....

[The Mole]

I am sure the Director of Assessing will be presenting his rendition of our new tax increase soon. He will go through the same routine as always, comparing Somerville with Cambridge, Arlington, Medford and the rest of the enveloping communities and still state Somerville will be lower based than them all.

How many years are we going to be lower than all the rest? Adding Dilboy Stadium to the salary basis, which by the way, DCR has placed Somerville on notice for not keeping up with the maintenance of the complex, and with the current increase of $152,149 for the Mayor, BOA and the School Committee, will definitely effect us as taxpayers. This total is obscure in as much as knowing all other appointees have received pay increases. The Mayor’s Aide topping the ticket with almost a 90% increase because she pays for all the traveling tickets for the Mayor while traveling the world, Geata, Baltimore and the rest of his destinations.

With all the increases, this should top a total of about $250,000 per year which Somerville does not have in their coffers. Thus, blood sucking money grabbers will be coming for out pockets soon.

Meanwhile, Engine 4 is still out of service, Patrolman’s Union is without a contract and our Fire Fighters also without compensation. While the politician and political hackers bank accounts flourish, we the citizens enjoy lack of services and underpaid Safety Personnel.

Where is my 42" Plazma HD TV?

The “Ville” has gone to the DOGS!!!

The Mole

[Teacher]

Lets see, a police officer does a detail for a company. That company pays by check to the city. The City TAKES a handling charge. Then pays the officers....How does THAT cost the taxpayers ANYTHING ? Wait until MJR and the teachers need a contract, then they walkout,picket, refuse to work, and parents that work have to make arrangements for their kids everyday The SPD cant strike, so what do all you people suggest ? Maybe give Joe a hug ?

[brickbottom]

Teacher,

You need to go back to school and take a business class.

I didn't want to open a can of worms but if you continue with your "logic" then so be it.

If you know what's good for you then drop the subject.

[PersonDavis]

Once again brickbottom, I agree with you. Details ultimately end up being paid for by taxpayers and/or ratepayers.

[Teacher]

Brick, Person, Sabot, et al
I enjoy your posts and agree on many of your stances on the issues. Having said that, consider that issue closed.

[brickbottom]

TeachersToo/Cop,

You wrote: "Brick, sorry to burst your bubble but I absolutely am a cop. Cuffs, badge, mace, vest, gun...etc."

You forgot one very important ingredient in all that equipment...........A BRAIN!

[brickbottom]

Teacher,

I consider that issue closed. And if you were the one that wrote that post above which I just answered to then I was wrong, you do have a brain!

[Fredie Mac]

What is your gun for Brickbottom?

It is a good thing you guys have mace and stun guns; otherwise you would not have any weapons you could use on the elderly, handicaped, sick, and very young.

[Fredie Mac]

What is your gun for Brickbottom?

It is a good thing you guys have mace and stun guns; otherwise you would not have any weapons you could use on the elderly, handicaped, sick, and very young.

[Dr. Mrs. McCarthy]

I happen to think the Mayor and other elected officials that participated in their own pay raises should get everything that's coming to them.

At election time in 2007!

Dr. Mrs. McCarthy

P.S. When I'm elected Mayor next year, I'm donating the extra bucks that "asswipe" Taylor slipped through to, what else, my good friends at the Little Sisters of the Poor!

[Here's how they figure the salaries...]

Dr. Mrs. McCarthy;

I think I've figured out how that figure of $125,000 was arrived at.

They take the amount the mayor spent to get elected (about $250,000) and then divide it by the number of years in a term (2 years). That comes to.... you guessed it.... $125,000. That's why it will vary from town to town. JC was the second highest spending mayoral candidate in the Commonwealth if memory serves me correctly. I'm surprised Bill White didn't pick up on that and Taylor did. Tom's usually a little slower on the uptake than that.

[Fever]

is a sideshow as there are still plenty of cops making more than the Major even after his raise so if you really want to save taxpayer money, let’s reel in the police, starting with detail work.

The Economics of Police Details:

Police Detail = $34.70 per hour (see link)
-$34.70 is a conservative average especially when you factor in the generous pension plan, health benefits and evidence of double dipping

Civilian Flagger = $9.97 per hour (see link)
-Most worksites I drive by don’t require any detail or flagger for that matter. In addition, the going rate for an unskilled worker to hold a flag is a lot less than $9.97 per hour and we don’t have to pay them a pension, vacation time or health benefits.

Summarized – By using the most conservative estimates it costs taxpayers $24.73 ($34.70 - $9.97) per hour for a service they don’t need. That money could be spent on education or given back to the taxpayers in the form of lower property taxes. Instead it’s just another perk that overpaid Government workers receive at the expense of everyday citizens. Too bad the cops have guns otherwise we could do something about this scandal.

http://www.beaconhill.org/PoliceDetails/BHIPoliceDetails111104.pdf

[Fever]

The Mayor’s salary is a sideshow as there are still plenty of cops making more than the Major even after his raise so if you really want to save taxpayer money, let’s reel in the police, starting with detail work.

The Economics of Police Details:

Police Detail = $34.70 per hour (see link)
-$34.70 is a conservative average especially when you factor in the generous pension plan, health benefits and evidence of double dipping

Civilian Flagger = $9.97 per hour (see link)
-Most worksites I drive by don’t require any detail or flagger for that matter. In addition, the going rate for an unskilled worker to hold a flag is a lot less than $9.97 per hour and we don’t have to pay them a pension, vacation time or health benefits.

Summarized – By using the most conservative estimates it costs taxpayers $24.73 ($34.70 - $9.97) per hour for a service they don’t need. That money could be spent on education or given back to the taxpayers in the form of lower property taxes. Instead it’s just another perk that overpaid Government workers receive at the expense of everyday citizens. Too bad the cops have guns otherwise we could do something about this scandal.

http://www.beaconhill.org/PoliceDetails/BHIPoliceDetails111104.pdf

[Fancy Pants]

Now you are talking. We can replace them all with imigrants and those fancy pants visas, and guest worker programs. Talk about savings!

what are some other ways to save money? who can do the top 10 ways to save money in Somerville. Number 10 issue crazies like brickbottom rubber bullets instead of lead (it is a lot safer too)...

[Johnny Protester]

I hope the City Hall camera has extra film, the "informational" pickets are still here. I urge all citizens to honk their horns while passing by. Show your public safety people your support.....Going to be a long Winter for the admin.

[Teacher]

Fever, do away with police details and "that money could be spent on education". Now you reveiled yourself. Spending money on education means more payraises for teachers, right ? Go back to your classroom and hope your kids pass the MCAS. Do your job better and the school system woulnt need any more money. Besides, must be nice working 9 months a year huh ? Do they spread out your paycheck, or do you file for "unemployment" ?

[Curt and Tony]

Anyone who takes on Curtatone in public instead of bitching about him and never doing anything to change things has our vote.Do you think the DPW Commissioner will be happy with the possibility of Lynch running in "his" ward? We think not. Even if Lynch can't win, he should do it just to piss off Stank.