Negotiators representing Vero Beach’s police officers recently declared impasse after months of contract talks with the city. The police union was to put its case before a special magistrate today, but the two sides will instead meet again this morning at 9:30 in an effort to reach an agreement.
The city has been unwilling to offer wage increases. The city’s police officers contend five years is long enough to go without a raise. Beyond their frozen wages, officers say they are concerned that with lagging wages the department will be unable to recruit and retain qualified offices.
The decision to make another attempt to negotiate an agreement was reached following a special “shade” meeting of the newly elected City Council last Friday. If the city and its police officers are able to settle on a new contract, it may signal a shift and a possible warming in relations between the city and its employees.
Indian River Guardian 
Maybe now with the new council sanity might come back to the city’s fiscal affairs.
“…it may signal a shift and a possible warming in relations between the city and its employees.”
Even the sound of that makes me cringe. The city employees must accept that a defined benefit plan is no longer realistic under current or foreseen economic conditions and sets an unfair burden on taxpayers. The city must accept that it is a moral evil to freeze all salaries for 5 years.
Let’s get it together lads and get on with restoring our fine city at all levels.
Vic, what do you prefer in the way of a relationship between between an employer and its employees, tension and hostility?