Wednesday, October 20, 2004
Neighbors news briefs
Wages sticking point with Loveland FOP
LOVELAND - Wages continue to be the only sticking point in the city's negotiations with four ranking officers represented by the Fraternal Order of Police.
City officials recently rejected a state fact-finder's recommendation to pick up slightly more than 3 percent of pension contributions on top of proposed 3 percent raises annually through 2006 for sergeants and lieutenants. The union has proposed the pension contributions as a way to increase the officers' take-home pay, which they say would put them more in line with salaries and benefits offered by police agencies in nearby Mason, Montgomery, Blue Ash and Clermont County's Miami Township.
"Our position is you can't have both," City Manager Fred Enderle said of the fact-finder's decision. "When we did the pension pickup for the other employees, they took a 9 percent cut in salary. (Officers) want a cost of living plus the pension, and we just plain can't afford that."
According to state documents, the sergeants and lieutenants would be making $63,433 in two years under the union proposal. Other city employees received a 3 percent wage increase this year.
The FOP contract expired in March. Enderle said the city and the union will try once again to settle their differences before the case goes to an arbitrator, whose decision would be binding.
Leis to discuss terror preparations
Hamilton County Sheriff Simon L. Leis Jr. will speak at the Woman's Club of the University of Cincinnati monthly meeting, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Nov. 3 in the upper level of the Faculty Club on UC's Clifton campus.
Leis will discuss "Preparation to Combat Terrorism in Hamilton County." Refreshments will be served and reservations are required.
For reservations, information and directions, call (513) 474-0233.
The waterpark also got the World Waterpark Association's Best In-Park Promotions award for its "Dive-In Movies" series.
The Beach is closed to swimmers until next year, though the annual Holiday Fest kicks off Nov. 26 with ice-skating, carriage rides and other events.
