May 16, 2008

PRESS RELEASE

BROWARD DEPUTIES/SERGEANTS VOTE NO ON PROPOSED
COLLECTIVE BARGAING AGREEMENT

THE DEPUTIES AND SERGEANTS OF THE BROWARD SHERIFF’S OFFICE, WHO ARE REPRESENTED BY THE BROWARD COUNTY POLICE BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION, TURNED DOWN THE LAST AND FINAL OFFER OF THE SHERIFF BY A 2 TO 1 MARGIN.  THERE WERE 1250 BALLOTS CAST OUT OF THE 1,450 DEPUTIES/SERGEANTS. 

THE LAST AND FINAL OFFER OF THE SHERIFF CONSISTED OF ONLY A 3% COLA FOR EACH YEAR OF THE THREE YEAR CONTRACT.   “THIS OFFER WAS OVERWHELMINGLY REJECTED BY THE DEPUTIES AND SERGEANTS SINCE THEY ARE CURRENTLY LAST IN THE COUNTY IN TOP PAY.  EVEN IF THE 3% WERE ACCEPTED THE DEPUTIES AND SERGEANTS WOULD CONTINUE TO BE WELL BELOW OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES THROUGHOUT BROWARD COUNTY, WHICH IS WHOLLY UNACCEPTABLE,” STATED DICK BRICKMAN, PRESIDENT OF THE BROWARD COUNTY PBA.  IN ADDITION TO BEING THE LOWEST PAID, BRICKMAN NOTED “THE SHERIFF’S LAST AND FINAL OFFER NOT ONLY GREATLY REDUCES THE POST RETIREMENT BENEFITS AVAILABLE FOR NEWLY HIRED DEPUTIES.   AND, THE DEPUTIES AND SERGEANTS ARE UPSET BY THE SHERIFF’S REFUSAL TO PROVIDE A FAIR PROMOTIONAL SYSTEM.

THIS VOTE MADE CLEAR THE MESSAGE EXPRESSED BY OUR MEMBERS; THAT THE SHERIFF NEEDS TO DO MORE.  AS A RESULT, THE PBA WILL BE REQUESTING THE SHERIFF’S BARGAINING TEAM TO MEET WITH US ONE LAST TIME TO SEE IF THE SHERIFF IS NOW WILLING TO MEET THE DEMANDS OF HIS DEPUTIES AND SERGEANTS.  IF HE’S NOT THEN WE ARE AT IMPASSE AND THE MATTER WILL BE SETTLED AT A PUBLIC HEARING.

ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE CALL THE BROWARD COUNTY PBA @ 954-584-7600.