Coral Gables Watch

Coral Gables Police and Firefighters Salary Negotiations: 2004!

I cite an article on the Coral Gables website dated 4/15/2004 that indicates that city authorities surveyed comparative public safety wage salaries in the region and found that Coral Gables paid in the top ranges. Some commissioners argued in the recent budget hearing that Coral Gables was forced into paying higher salaries because the city was at a disadvantage in attracting public security personnel. The following clearly suggests that Coral Gables was already paying at the highest salary ranges and that the city negotiated even higher wages than necessary.

A recent comparison of police officers and firefighter salaries (and pension contribution) among all muncipalities in Dade and Broward counties, based on proposed wage increases and on firgures provided by unions, place Coral Gables police officers and firefighters in the top starting salary ranges, as compared to other public safety agencies.

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City negotiators have offered both unions an 8 percent wage increase, offset by a five percent employee pension contribution over a two-year period. The City has also agreed to annual merit increases (from 3 to 5 percent)…