F.O.P.: Coleman Was Unfair

With crime and violence escalating… Is this really the best time for a Mayor Coleman vs. Police public scrap?

NBC 4: A local police union is filing a complaint against the Columbus mayor’s office for leaking a memo to the media that asked for wage concessions. Fraternal Order of Police President Jim Gilbert claims the mayor violated ongoing union contract negotiations and bargaining in good faith…

The FOP has filed an unfair labor practice charge against the City of Columbus to the state employment relations board. Coleman asked all city unions to give up pay raises for 2009, as well as longevity pay for 2009 that is based on years of service with the city.

The mayor gave the unions until Friday to get back to him on his request, which he said would save the city the $13 million it needs to balance the budget, if all unions agreed to the concession.

Last week, Gilbert called the request ‘unacceptable’ given the ongoing negotiations between the police union and the city. Gilbert said Mayor Michael Coleman brought the letter to the media before the FOP, therefore violating the union contract, adding that he failed to negotiate properly.

Coleman’s office said the proposal is separate from the bargaining process and that the mayor has asked all five of the city’s unions to make the sacrifice, not just the FOP. The office said it needs everyone’s help to deal with the budge crisis.