The Denver sheriff’s department union balked when asked to take a 2 percent cut in pay and benefits.
So the mayor laid off 11 deputies.
That’s 11 fewer people to serve and protect the citizens of the city and county of Denver — a huge price to pay for a relatively small pay cut.
What a shame.
We hope Denver’s firefighters and police follow a wiser route.
We were heartened to see the union representing Denver firefighters reach a tentative agreement this week with Mayor John Hickenlooper’s administration on pay and benefit cuts that are expected to save the city $1.5 million.
The package, which must be ratified by union members next week, is basically a 2 percent reduction, too. We hope union members look out for their fellow firefighters when they vote, and not just their own interests — no matter how great.
These are difficult days, and it has become all-too commonplace to read of layoffs, wage cuts and furlough days. But it has been rare in recent memory for public safety officials to lose their jobs in the Mile High City.
We have great respect for the men and women in uniform who risk their safety to protect ours. But spending is down, and that hurts Denver’s budget.
Mayor Hickenlooper is trying to pare back $56 million in spending because of a lack of tax collections brought on by the sour economy. He’s ordered city workers to take unpaid furlough days, suspended bonuses and capped merit pay. As a symbolic gesture, members of his cabinet volunteered to forgo any raises in 2009. There are hundreds of other reductions.
If the sheriff’s employees had accepted the 2 percent cut, the 11 deputies still would have jobs. If firefighters accept their deal, they can avoid that fate.
Police also are being asked to accept the 2 percent reduction. They should consider the firefighters’ example, especially given the terms of the three-year contract police won in 2007. With the Democratic National Convention coming to town — and fears of a strike — the contract tripled the increases they won in the prior contract.
Nobody likes to work for less money, but according to Post reporter Christopher N. Osher, January tax collections were 10.3 percent lower than the amount collected last January. That means the $56 million budget gap the mayor is trying to bridge could widen.
We hope our public safety officials will understand they must do their part while the rest of us struggle to make ends meet as well.
