San Francisco Police Vote On New Contract To Keep Pay Raises

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) - San Francisco police officers are voting this week on a contract that would allow them to keep their pay raises but increase their pension contributions. The outcome could determine whether or not the city has a balanced budget.

Police officers are entitled to $14.5 million in pay raises this year, but San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee wanted the officers to forgo the hikes to help balance the city budget.

Instead the Police Officers Association came up with a more creative plan.

KCBS' Barbara Taylor Reports:

Association President Gary Delagnes said S.F. police would receive their raises but also would contribute another 3 percent to the pension plan.

"They're stepping up and they're going to do it for the good of the city, and I think it says a lot about my members because they don't have to do it," said Delagnes.

At this time, it's not a done-deal. A ratification vote is still underway. About half of the officers have cast ballots and the results will be announced Saturday.

Delagnes said not everyone likes the proposal, but they understand the situation.

"I think the majority of them will see that you don't want to turn yourself into a MUNI and you don't want to alienate the citizens. You certainly want to let the citizens know you're doing all you can," he said.

San Francisco Public Defender Jeff Adachi disagreed. He called the idea a bad deal and said it will end up costing more money than it will save.

The S.F. Police Officers Association stated the additional pension contributions will cost officers $1.5 million more than the raises.

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