Rarely if ever, have we seen a politician so openly contemptuous of a Department, so much so that he has no qualms about telling everyone exactly what he plans:
By pitching a shutout in his first big game on a new field, Mayor Rahm Emanuel has strengthened his hand when it comes to tackling the next big challenges ahead: pension reform and winning contract concessions from police and fire unions.
Emanuel’s $6.3 billion 2012 budget — and the $220 million in taxes, fines and fees needed to pay for it — scored a 50-to-0 vote in the City Council on Wednesday.
Moments after the final vote, Emanuel warned aldermen from the rostrum that it was only “the beginning” and that “hard decisions” await. Police and fire contracts expire June 30.
- Aldermen swallowed the mayor’s plan to more than double water and sewer rates over the next four years and lock in annual cost of living increases after that.
Evidently, that's not all the aldercreatures swallowed.
Upcoming contract negotiations are sure to be the worst ever, with 0% raises offered and all sorts of give-backs sought by the city. Arbitration is almost a certainty as the city cannot be trusted to bargain in good faith. We certainly hope the negotiators are doing their homework on this one.
Upcoming contract negotiations are sure to be the worst ever, with 0% raises offered and all sorts of give-backs sought by the city. Arbitration is almost a certainty as the city cannot be trusted to bargain in good faith. We certainly hope the negotiators are doing their homework on this one.