04.24.06 Barrett Vetoes Military Pay

News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 24, 2006

Contact:	Eileen Force, Communications Director
	Office of Mayor Tom Barrett
	414-286-8504 (phone) 414-286-3191 (fax) eforce@milwaukee.gov

BARRETT WANTS BENEFITS BARGAINED
Mayor Vetoes Supplemental Military Pay

MILWAUKEE (April 24, 2006) – Mayor Tom Barrett has vetoed Common Council file number 041221, an ordinance relating to providing differential pay for city employees activated into service in the U.S. armed forces.

"I am very sympathetic to the economic stress that may result from an individual's call to military duty," Mayor Barrett said in a letter to Council Members. "The federal government's failure to address the issue of military pay, however, does not mean that the City of Milwaukee should take a non-bargained, corrective action."

Barrett cited two specific reasons for vetoing the legislation. First, issues related to employee benefits for represented groups should be negotiated as part of collective bargaining. Although the Milwaukee Police Association [MPA] did bring this item to the bargaining table during the last round of negotiations, the contract was voluntarily settled without it.

Barrett said "Providing benefits for represented groups, through avenues other than collective bargaining, places the City at a competitive disadvantage. Unless there is a voluntary settlement, an arbitrator will not credit the City of Milwaukee for providing this benefit."

Barrett also cited the lack of identification of a source of funds to pay for the non-negotiated benefit. As the Mayor and other city officials prepare for the 2007 fiscal year budget cycle, it is clear that the City of Milwaukee cannot afford to award benefits without negotiation.

"To date, the City has paid out approximately $155,000 to the fired police officers involved in the Frank Jude beating. Believe me, I would much rather prefer to provide supplemental pay to City employees serving our country than to continue paying individuals who have been fired from their jobs. However, as long as the City continues to be punished by this unfunded state mandate, we cannot afford additional benefits without negotiations."

-30-

This site is powered by the Northwoods Titan Content Management System