• Tweet
• (3) | COMMENTS
• Share
• Email
• Print

MILWAUKEE - If a fight with city hall is what the Milwaukee Police Association wanted, than that's exactly what they're getting.

In a close vote, rank and file Milwaukee Police officers and detectives voted against a new contract offer this week.

Among the highlights, the deal would have increased pay by about 4% in 2012, but officers would also have to increase health care contributions by 12%.

"To expect you're going to get more than everybody else is just not realistic," said Mayor Tom Barrett. "And they're getting a little bit more now the firefighters and the police supervisors, a lot more than general employees."

The firefighters and police supervisors union have already agreed to a similar contract. And the concessions are similar to what other public unions were forced to give up early this year with the passage of the collective bargaining law. Police and firefighters are exempt from that law.

But police union president Mike Crivello says his members are increasingly asked to do more with less. He wouldn't talk to TODAY'S TMJ4 on camera Thursday, but in a statement said in part...

"Our officers have a reasonable demand of fair compensation for increased responsibility - responsibility of which they are ultimately held accountable at a greater level," Crivello wrote.

"I think in this situation, everyone else is sharing in the sacrifice. It's fair everyone should sacrifice the same," said taxpayer advocate Chris Kliesmet.

The executive director for Milwaukee's chapter of Citizens for Responsible Government believes the police union should take the deal, but he also has a problem with the politicians giving too much power to the unions.

"They failed in their obligation and they sold us out to the unions," he said.

Although Crivello is optimistic a deal will be made, both sides don't appear to be budging, which means an arbitrator will most likely decide the outcome.

Crivello's full statement is below.

"The Milwaukee Police Association members recognize and understand the cost of health care is ever rising.  Our officers have displayed a willingness to share sacrifice while expressing concerns relative to the demands of working in a violent city. The chief's increased demands on police officers consistently place them in situations where they are expected to perform the duties of detectives; while they are neither properly trained, nor afforded the appropriate time to carry out the increased tasks of the higher paid detectives. Our officers have a reasonable demand of fair compensation for increased responsibility - responsibility of which they are ultimately held accountable at a greater level.  MPA members are proud dedicated professional servants of this city. We remain optimistic that contract resolution can be realized."