Local

Pension and wage proposal clears police union membership

The new proposal for wages and benefits for first responders in Jacksonville just took a big step forward.

It’s an important step in bringing the City closer to paying down its more than $2.8 billion pension debt.

Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5-30 membership has approved the contract proposal for police officers, sergeants, and bailiffs. 1,181 votes were cast among officers, sergeants, and bailiffs, with 762 voting in favor. 35 of 43 Lieutenants and Captains who voted were also in favor of the proposal.

The Jacksonville Association of Fire Fighters says their membership will vote next month.

If both unions sign on, the Police and Fire Pension Fund must still approve some of the funding portion of the deal, and then the package would head to the City Council.

“The FOP is committed to working with those bodies and carrying out the will of the membership,” says a statement from FOP Lodge 5-30 President Steve Zona to WOKV.

The vote comes after weeks of back-and-forth between the unions and City of Jacksonville. The proposal that's moving forward shifts new hires to a 401(k) style account that includes a guaranteed lifetime withdrawal. Current employees would get a 20% pay hike over three years and a one-time lump sum payment. Some benefits, like COLA, would also be restored after cuts resulting from a 2015 reform plan.

Closing out the pension plan and shifting to the defined contribution plan is needed in order to tap in to a voter-approved half-cent sales tax designated for paying down the City's pension debt. The debt for all of the unions collectively tops $2.8 billion, with police and fire holding the vast majority of that.

mobile apps

Everything you love about wokv.com and more! Tap on any of the buttons below to download our app.

amazon alexa

Enable our Skill today to listen live at home on your Alexa Devices!