And besides, the city will likely be back at the budget operating table in a few months anyway as the state financial mess bears down on local governments.
But these arguments are political hyperbole meant to distract the public from what’s really going on. This is a case of good ol’ fashioned entrenchment brought on by a temper tantrum over negative publicity. The police union seems to be saying, “Firefighters came out on top after a preemptive move, so we’re just going to fold our arms and dig in our heels.”
In some ways, the police officers association has a point. They’ve allowed so much time to elapse that any concession now would be seen as begrudging.
With all due respect to the city’s finest, they need to get over it.
A recession, declining tax revenues and unprecedented state budget deficits have converged to create a monster bigger than any harm that may befall the police union’s ego or image.
And left out of the public discourse somehow is the message inherent in the association’s decision to not revisit its contract — that its members would rather put up some of their own for possible layoffs than sacrifice a few percent off the top of their planned raises.
We all know the City Council has historically been tepid about making any harsh cuts to the Police Department, but it belies a certain amount of selfishness to offer up your colleagues for what pencils out to be a couple of million dollars — not a lot considering they’d still be getting some form of pay raise in an economy when people are losing their jobs left and right.
We know not all police officers may subscribe to the contract decision, and if they’re in the majority, then maybe it’s time for a change in union leadership.
Either way, there are only 10 days left, time enough for Glendale’s finest to join the team.
