FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:  Brie Turek (407) 246-3106
Brie Turek (407) 246-3106

SPECIAL MAGISTRATE SIDES WITH CITY
ON POLICE PAY ISSUE

Parties to Consider Recommendations and
Respond within 20 Days

Orlando, FL (July 12, 2005) – The Special Magistrate assigned to make an impartial decision on outstanding pay issues between the City of Orlando and the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge 25 released his report today. He recommended adoption of the City’s proposal and final offer of a 2% pay increase for those officers at the top of their pay grade and continuing the annual step program for all others, which ranges from 3% - 9%.

Stating that “prudent fiscal practices demand that the City hold the line on labor and personnel costs,” the Special Magistrate outlined his recommendations in a 38-page report. The report also sided with the City's claim that "the union’s attempt to show the City has ‘hidden’ millions of dollars in various reserve funds that could be used to fund FOP wage demands is simply not supported by the evidence.”

“We are pleased that the recommendations of the impartial Special Magistrate on the most significant contract issue are in agreement with the City staff’s analysis and fair compensation proposal,” said Mayor Dyer. “The Special Magistrate has determined, as had our City staff, that City of Orlando law enforcement personnel are among the highest paid in comparable agencies in the state of Florida.”

“Based on the FOP’s letter dated June 16, 2005, in which Mr. Hoffman recommended that both parties accept the decision of the ‘impartial and experienced Special Magistrate,’ we anticipate that the Fraternal Order of Police will agree to resolve the current contract dispute by accepting these recommendations,” said Lee Brown, Chief Negotiator for the City of Orlando on this issue.

If the recommendations are not accepted, City Council will ultimately decide the pay plan for the balance of the fiscal year.

# # #