Taveras Administration Reaches Agreement With Police Union That Averts Layoffs

Mayor and FOP negotiate savings of at least $6 million in FY12, no raises for six years.

Mayor Angel Taveras and Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 3 President Taft Manzotti have reached a new collective bargaining agreement that averts 78 layoffs in the police department and saves at least $6 million in the upcoming fiscal year.

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The police have been without a contract since 2007. With this agreement, union leadership has agreed to settle the ongoing contract dispute and enter into new contracts that extend until FY15.

As part of the new agreement, the Providence Police have agreed to six years with no raise. If the Police Department reduces its budget in excess of $6 million in structural savings in FY12, up to $1.5 million of the additional savings will be dispersed to officers as one-time stipends in FY13 and FY14. The new agreement also includes a salary increase of 4% in FY14.

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The agreement also includes a retirement incentive that will encourage 35 to 40 eligible officers to retire this year, producing significant savings through attrition. Additional savings will be achieved through changes to current benefits.

"I am very pleased to announce that my administration has reached an agreement with the Fraternal Order of Police that achieves at least $6 million in savings for the City without layoffs. With this agreement, we avert layoffs and keep more officers on patrol in our neighborhoods, where we need them the most. I commend FOP President Taft Manzotti and the men and women of the Police Department for making a very real sacrifice to save our City. I know that today's announcement will bring peace of mind to many in our community and to the young men and women in uniform who faced layoffs," says Mayor Angel Taveras.

The agreement comes after lengthy and difficult negotiations, and reflects many months of hard work and determination to reach consensus by the Taveras administration and FOP President Manzotti. Strong leadership was provided by Mayor Taveras, whose participation in negotiations over the last 24 hours was the tipping point that made the deal possible.

"The men and women of the Providence Police Department have been without a contract since 2007, and we have had to forgo pay raises for six years. This new agreement demonstrates our commitment to the people of Providence and our willingness to sacrifice during our City's time of need. This agreement also enables us to preserve the well-deserved jobs of 78 of our brothers and sisters on the force, an effort that will without question help ensure the safety of the people of Providence," said Manzotti.