For Immediate Release: September 28, 2004
Contact: Lauren Hames 407-246-3106

DYER RESPONDS TO FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE

ORLANDO, FL (September 30, 2004) – Reacting to an apparent news advisory issued late in the day Thursday suggesting that the labor union had recently been threatened with layoffs unless they take a 2 percent increase in wages, Mayor Buddy Dyer said that “absolutely no sworn police officers would be laid off in his administration, but the F.O.P. needs to understand that they are going to get the same 2 percent increase that all city employees will receive this year.”

“No one has suggested layoffs and no layoffs of sworn officers will occur in my administration,” said Dyer. “Threats of any kind in a negotiation would be an unfair labor practice. The issue is that this bargaining unit believes that in addition to the 4-7 percent increase that over half the officers will receive due to previously bargained steps they should receive an additional increase,” Dyer said.

“In order for me to maintain our police and fire units at existing levels, we have to hold the line on spending,” Dyer said. “Our police force is the seventh best paid police force in the state,” Dyer said.

“While people are trying to make their third deductible payment from the three hurricanes that have hit Orlando, I am disappointed that our police union believes that some of their members deserve as much as a 13 percent annual increase,” Dyer said. “Orlando residents can’t afford the massive property tax increase that would have to occur in order to meet their salary demands,” Dyer said. “Under this administration we will hold the line on property taxes and maintain or increase our police and fire, but we will not continue down the road of massive salary increases,” Dyer said.

“Our choice is to cut spending and services, raise taxes or hold the line on spending and maintain services. I intend to hold the line on spending and maintain services,” Dyer said.



CITY OF ORLANDO POLICE CHIEF MICHAEL MCCOY WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR COMMENT AT CITY HALL FOLLOWING THE POLICE RALLY THURSDAY NIGHT. HE CAN BE REACHED AT 407-466-5636.

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