4-2 Schedule Prohibition Fails in Tie Vote

Acting Police Chief Patrick McMahon appeared before the Common Council Monday, after weeks away from the job on family leave.

McMahon explained to the Council that the proposed resolution urging the Mayor to drop plans to implement a four day on, two day off schedule for city police, was, illegal.  He cited wording in the contract between the city and the police union which allows the mayor to implement "experimental" work shifts.  Police currently work a five day on, two day off schedule.

McMahon also said that the new schedule would allow the most uniformed police officers on patrol of any schedule in the police department, keeping the citizenry safe.

"If anyone should be criticized, it's me," McMahon said.  "For not having proposed this schedule a year earlier.

Union president Derek Puorro also noted that the proposed resolution was illegal.

When it came to debating the resolution, the sponsor, Council member Vinnie Loffredo, continued to display scepticism that the new schedule would save money as the mayor, and the acting chief have claimed.

"I personally think there's a little bit of a shell game going on," Loffredo said.

He also noted that a plan which was first proposed in a Memorandum of Understanding, then rejected by the Council in July, could hardly be called "experimental."  Loffredo said that during the earlier debate the new schedule was touted as one proven in other communities to save money, improve morale, and aid in scheduling.

"At no time was it called experimental," Loffredo said.

Council member Gerry Daley also demonstrated dismay at the implementation of the schedule as the earlier rejection of the MOU is in arbitration between the city and the police union.

"Going forward with this experimental shift, whether it's allowed in the contract or not, has compromised the city's position in arbitration, and I find that appalling," Daley said.  "If we're giving 17 extra days off shouldn't the city get something in return?  Something just doesn't smell right.  The mayor has the legal responsibility to represent the city in arbitration, and we've knocked the legs out from under that."

A vote to table further debate and discussion of the resolution failed in a tie vote, and then actual resolution failed in another tie.  The mayor, who has the power to vote to break ties, declined to do so.