September 25, 2008
The Wicomico County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge # 111 is disappointed with the decision that was reached by the Honorable Circuit Court Judge David B. Mitchell in reference to the case; Wicomico County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge # 111 vs. Wicomico County Council, County Executive, and County Administrator Case # 22C08000521.
In November 2006, a referendum vote was approved with 73 percent of Wicomico County voters approving a change to the county charter allowing for collective bargaining with binding arbitration for Wicomico County Sheriff’s Deputies. In December 2007, the Wicomico County Council adopted a labor code which established collective bargaining with binding arbitration only on the county executive and not the council. The County Executive vetoed the labor code on January 9, 2008, and the Council overrode that veto on January 15, 2008. As a result a Writ of Mandamus was filed on April 4, 2008 asking the court to review the matter. A trial was held on August 22, 2008, and a Decision and Order was issued by Judge Mitchell on September 19, 2008. In the Order, the court found that the referendum approved by the voters was unconstitutional.
The FOP Lodge will explore what options are available and determine the next course of action. With the high level of support from the voters of Wicomico County, the FOP Lodge will continue in our efforts to improve retirement and disability benefits as well as obtain collective bargaining for sheriff’s deputies. The FOP Lodge # 111 would also like to take this opportunity to express our thanks for the support offered by the citizens of Wicomico County.
Any questions contact Matt Cook, at 443-880-5516.
FOP Lodge # 111
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
23 comments:
Mr. Cook, your so full of it! Retirement and benefits, OK, put your mouth where our money is, EXCLUDE barganing rights with schedules and compensation, and have the council retain complete management rights in those regards. NOT!
Tip for the FOP -- hire Vic Laws and get him to sue the bastards (or threaten) if they don't do or say what you like. Just like the liquor dispensary did.
Acdcording to Judge Mitchell's ruling, that was not a "referendum" vote -- it was an "initiative" which he said is much different.
The bottom line: it was meaningless for the FOP, and a huge mistake on its part, because the cat is now out of the bag that they are being overpaid and money has dried up.
KUDOS TO RICK POLLITT!
...so the voice of the people is now considered un-constitutional?
Somebody tell this communist judge he's now fired!!!
Wow...after taking hard hits on this issue, I do see that some people are finally awake! Thank you!
I'm so glad that 1:39 apparently did some research and saw that it is more than just pay and benefits, which is what FOP claims.
Now, run them outta town!!!
Will someone please explain in detail what was unconstitutioanal about the referendum? What then were we voting for?
3:11 I did a LOT of research, and if everyone simply looks at the same thing in Ocean City, they will see the facts. The police go out, work on the emotion of "stand by the people that protect you, poor us etc.", then stand by, they are just crooks is a uniform, well some of them anyway, the leaders of the UNION
The Wicomico County Sheriff's Deputies just missed the boat, well at least they got the pay and take home cars.
It truly amazes me how so many of you just don't get it. Law Enforcement is like any other business, you get what you pay for. In any business if you want to attract and retain quality employees, you have to attract them, then reward them. If you do that, they'll stick around. Any successful business starts and ends with quality employees. So many of you complain about the quality of service you receive at fast food resturants, well what do you expect for $6.00 an hour. This is a perfect example of my premise. If someone steals your credit card and maxes it out, who do you want investigating your case. An officer who just graduated from the police academy, and couldn't get hired anywhere else, or any officer with years of experience and knowledge. Just something to think about.
The right of the people to petition for a referendum vote was put in place PRECISELY to override elected officials. As such, the result of the referendum vote is to be law. It gives the ultimate authority to "the people".
The sad thing is that this judge used as legal precedents decisions handed down by judges who chose to legislate from the bench. Those decisions effectively render ANY and ALL referendum votes that change a decision made by a legislative body a violation of State Constitution.
So - it has come to pass. The will of the people means nothing. Once elected officials have been put in office they are untouchable until the next election. They can legislate you out of your property and rights and there is nothing you can do. Even if everyone in the county disagrees with any bit of legislation there is nothing you can do......according to this judge.
How does it make those who supported the FOP feel that their vote means nothing?
73% of the people that voted, voted favorably for this referendum. Why is my vote not important to the County Council? What does the Sheriff have to say about this? He needs to come out and make a statement.
The Sheriff could care less about the deputies retirement and benefits, because he is a State Official and he is collecting state retirement and state benefits. Also, if the deputies want state retirement they should go work for the state, if they stay at the county level then they get county benefits.
Our sherriff Deputies do one fine job for the citizens of Wicomico County. This has only gotten better under the leadership of Mike Lewis. Take a look at them compared to Salisbury Police Department.
These officers put their lives on the line everyday, most of the time dealing with the worst of our society. It is a very thankless job. Sure they volunteer for this duty, but that doesn't mean we don't take care of them. They should be well paid. They should have good benefits.
How do you think crime would be if they weren't so good? It would probably look like Mayberry.
I voted to give the collective bargaining. I don't think that our judiciary should be taking my vote away. I hope that FOP runs this through as many appeals as possible until the people's voice is heard and every vote counts.
Some officers will never be satisfied, I don't care how much money and what benefits you give them.
They all chose their profession because they wanted to "serve and protect the citizens".
When they were getting the necessary education to get their job, they knew what the payscale was. But now, that payscale is not acceptable.
Look at Delmar. They pay their police force GOOD money and they keep paying them more and more and more. Their retention rate still stinks, except those who stayed for the long haul and will actually retire from the Town of Delmar. Why did they stay? Because they were paid a fair salary and they were not treated like mice.
Everyone in Delmar knows that Delmar is always going to be a transition department. Their officers are dually certified in both Maryland AND Delaware. Perfect training ground for officers who really want to be Sheriff's deputies or State Police officers.
More pay does not mean more retention. If the environment is not good, it won't matter how much you pay them.
Officers here on the shore have all gotten GREEDY. This is due to the FOP getting in their heads and convincing them they are not making enough money.
Some of these officers on the Shore are paid MORE than officers in NEW YORK CITY. Who has the tougher job? Who has the more dangerous job?
Here on the Shore? I don't think so!
Be happy you even have a job...many people are losing theirs to no fault of their own.
The economy is real bad, but the cops still want more.
Makes no sense to me at all. They have no loyalty to the public they are supposed to serve whatsoever.
They don't care about YOU. They only care about themselves.
I know this does not pertain to EVERY officer, but it certainly pertains to a large majority of them.
11:31 you must be a bitter person. Maybe you were arrested. I don't know. I voted for collective bargaining. I am highly pissed off that the county council would spend our tax dollars trying to nullify our vote. Who do they think they are? They were elected by the same people who voted for collective bargaining for the deputies. We need to see to it that NONE of them survive the next election. We need to get rid of every politician who refuses to represent the people who voted them into office. Look at what has happened to this country because of politicians who have done as they damned well pleased. This is just another example.
11:31 PM. Actually, NYC Police get paid more. Do your homework. And the job is still the same for the danger. Who do you think lives here? Cowfolk and critters??? We actually have real crime here, maybe you live under a blanket?
We need to take care of our LEO's.
This collective Bargaining works all around the Country, OCPD is just one example. This was not developed to "screw" the community. You sound like a paranoid person. Maybe you should seek medical help?
9:35
Why is it people like to take to personal attacks on issues?
It's a blog, people have their opinions and there will always be people on both sides.
The poster you attacked did not say there was no crime here but you were apparently just looking for a fight. Maybe he/she does need mental help after putting up with ones who have nothing better to do that attack people.
If someone can't have a discussion without getting personal and attacking others, maybe they should stay out of the conversation.
I did some checking and came across this from Wikpedia.
I would say that was less than the starting salaries locally (atleast before this new contract they talk about). The poster obviously did not know about the new contract so was both correct and incorrect in the post.
I think if I was a police officer, I would rather be one here in this area as opposed to a big city. Sure, there is crime here, I don't discount that, but the crime numbers are no comparison as well as the type of serious crime a big city like New York has.
Another thing people are forgetting I think is wages are lower here on Shore versus other areas, they always have been. It doesn't matter what field you in really. Even the lawyers around here charge alot less than in the City.
Here's a portion of the article:
After years of bitter wrangling that saw starting pay for new officers fall to as low as $25,100 a year, the city and the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association on Aug. 21, 2008 reached agreement on a new four-year contract. The contract, which runs from August 1, 2006 to July 31, 2010, gives police officers a 17 percent pay raise over its four-year life, and raises starting pay from $35,881.
Sorry, but the LEOPS retirement is too expensive. Wicomico County Govt. cannot afford this nor can the citizens!
Wikipedia is so unreliable that students at Wor-Wic arent permitted to use it as a reference.
1:25, that post was a personal attack on the area's Police Officer's. If you can't see that, you're blind.
The facts:
The county voted on the legally approved referendum by a large majority.
The county executive upheld the peoples wishes.
The county council negated the peoples wishes
The deputies are still without a better disability, they get hurt, they are one their own after 3 years. You get hurt at your job and then can't do that job, then you have 3 years of a small portion of the pay to retrain yourself for another job, take care of your home and family. People get real.
I second the post, you get what you pay for. Please look at OCPD, what is their turnover rate compared to here, look at their education level compared to here, look at the professionalism compared to here. Which would you rather do, speed here or in OC. Yeah I chose here too.
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