TKC EXCLUSIVE!!! KANSAS CITY FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE FIGHT TO KEEP HEALTH BENEFITS AND STAY OUT OF CITY PLAN!!!
I don't blame anybody for wanting to avoid interaction with City Hall.
In fact, Kansas City local government has found a way to screw up almost everything it touches.
To wit . . .
CHECK OUT A KANSAS CITY FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE MEMO THAT HOPES TO RALLY MEMBERS AGAINST INCLUSION INTO A CITY HALL HEALTH PLAN!!!
So far, The Star is just reporting one side of this drama but I find the arguments that police have with the unproven plan VERY CONVINCING!!!
Check it:
"Over the last three years, the Fraternal Order Of Police (FOP) has served as the rank-and-file's representative on the City's Health Care and Benefits Steering Committee. We have listened and responded to the City's presentations regarding City health benefits. Over the last year, the City has been pushing for the Department to agree to fold the Department's health care plan into the City's plan.
"During our Committee meetings, the City has claimed that bringing the Department into its plan would result in a savings to the City of up to $2.5 million and would help provide greater and cheaper benefits to all employees, including members of the Department. To date, The City has never provided any documentation demonstrating that the Department's inclusion in the City's health insurance would result in any savings to us or the City, despite the Committee's numerous requests for that information. The Committee speculates that there would be a savings of approximately $350,000 due to a change in management philosophy, but even that has not yet been proven to the Committee's satisfaction . . ."
Seem familiar?
CITY HALL WANTS THE KCPD TO SIGN ON TO A PLAN WITHOUT ANY EVIDENCE THAT THERE WILL BE ANY SAVINGS OR THAT BENEFITS WILL REMAIN INTACT!!!
Just like THE MAST HOT MESS . . . Quite a few folks at City Hall want the KCPD sacrifice their own benefits without a solid plan in place.
It gets worse, reps for the police are looking for a compromise but City Hall negotiations are (typically unproductive) . . . Check it:
"When the FOP asked the City if it would be possible to keep our benefits intact, or if the City could raise other members' benefits to Department levels, we were told an emphatic "NO." Instead of offering us some type of compromise, we were told that this was a take it or leave it offer. The City said that the other bargaining units would never let us have a better health care program, regardless of the fact that we have earned it. Apparently, the City is held hostage by these other organizations. We are not."
READ THE ENTIRE DOCUMENT FEATURING THE FOP RALLYING FOR SUPPORT THANKS TO KICK-ASS TKC TIPSTERS!!!
We're soon to see more of this in the media . . .
PREPARE FOR A SHOWDOWN AT THE MARCH 24TH BOARD OF POLICE COMMISSIONERS WHERE RANK AND FILE MEMBERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO SHOW UP AND STAND UP TO KEEP THEIR HEALTH BENEFITS!!!
No matter who wins, just a couple of days after the election a new set of Kansas City problems are soon to take hold and continue a longstanding tradition of local government FAIL.
DEVELOPING . . .
Is this a part of Funkhouser's "plan" to make KCMO the safest big city in the US?
ReplyDeleteHe might as well weigh in on this. He certainly doesn't have anything left to lose!
I'm sure the police don't want Funkhouser's help.
ReplyDeleteThis is about how much police employees pay for family coverage. Since they retire in their 50s they are younger overall than the city work force. Therefore their family coverage costs them less. So they are basically saying screw the other city employees we want our low rates.
ReplyDeletePublic employees work for the taxpayers.
ReplyDeleteI believe the employees should have to take what the employer (us) offers.
Maybe if John Sharp showed some solid numbers it would help his case.
ReplyDeleteThe problem is the police don't want ANYBODY'S help, advice, or management. With the current record of violence, crime, and unsolved murders, it's about time somebody helped these folks understand who they work for, what their job is, and who pays the bills.
ReplyDeleteIt's not as though someone wants to tinker with a well-oiled machine.
That's a good point. Maybe the PD could use some help. But the City running anything is a disaster in the making.
ReplyDeleteBy they way. Did they ever come up with a decision on the mast pensions?
Stop take home police cars. Gas is $3.39 per gallon. Taxpayers shouldn't pay for cops to take their families out to dinner or kids to school
ReplyDeleteAnd where is the police board? They must be brain dead from all of Corwin's PR staff's PowerPoint presentations!
ReplyDeleteWhat a bunch of lapdogs!
This is a means for a couple of bigots in the Police HR department to deny domestic partnership benefits to same gender couples on the police force.
ReplyDeleteThe HR Department at the Police Department is led by Conservative Christians who misread Christianity as a framework for hate.
The City Health Plan includes domestic partnership benefits.
The Police Board has had to compel the HR personnel to treat same-gendered couples with respect and equality in the application of benefits.
You people are amazing. The story clearly describes the antics of the city staff and the fact they aren't sharing any information about the costs of the health care plan they are proposing for the police department. How do you find fault with the police officials? I can't blame the police board or their commanders for being unwilling to sign off on an agreement when they have no details about how it would work. I would go bankrupt if ran my business that way!
ReplyDeleteThis strikes me as yet another City Hall created SNAFU. If the plan would really save what the City Hall people are claiming, why don't they unass the details and let everyone from the police, the news media, and the public see how it will save money. My guess is that it either doesn't save a dime, or they are trying to pass off increased expenses to the police employees while holding down their own costs, which isn't really fair either. Kudos to the police board for holding out and doing their due diligence! Where's the accountability on the part of City Hall???
3/18/11 12:40 PM
ReplyDeleteSince when did policemen become responsible for crime, violence and murders? If you can make the witnesses come forth, then do so. Police are not responsible for the mental health problems that exist and neither the unsolved murders. Someone from the community has to come forth and SNITCH so they can complete their work to get the case to court.
If the current relationship between the city and PD was the norm I might think they have a right to express preferences. Since it is not, rejecting what every other PD in the country must participate in (Local Government health plans)is asking for special considerations.
ReplyDeleteIn my world, you can only ask for "extras" when your performance supports receiving them.
12:59 - As a KCPD employee, I can assure you our health care plan has included domestic partner insurance for as long as the city has had it. Domestic partner insurance is NOT the issue at hand.
ReplyDeleteThe city just wants better rates for all of their fat, unhealthy employees by bringing in the PD's fitter, healthier workforce, and they want to do it on the back of the department. And no one has said where this "$2 million savings" would come from. Additionally, the City just "realized" there's a state law barring the PD from joining their health plan. If they're inept enough to miss that, I can't imagine how they'll do managing more benefits.
ReplyDeleteAdditionally, a great many other city departments are not on the city's health plan, so I would love to know why the Star keeps railing only on the PD. Again, probably because its employees have the best claims history. So now they want to punish them with bad benefits for trying to stay in shape.
And yeah, KCPD has had domestic partner benefits for some time. Sounds like someone's bitter.
Corwin and the command staff could care less about the taxpayers who pay their salaries, they just want to be in control and have their Capitol Grille cocktails without any scrutiny. And of course they do such a good job in crime city. They better wake up and pursue any savings available, and don't forget the City and Police department are funded by the same taxpayers...we won't forget about all those extra new cars parked out at KCI.
ReplyDeleteSure am glad I voted for the public safety sales tax and e-tax to pay for all the KCPD fine dining at the Plaza Capital grille and health insurance coverage.
ReplyDeleteAnd after we spend all that money what do we get for our tax dollars ...
"U.S. News and World Report have named Kansas City the ninth most dangerous city in the USA ..."
KCPD sucks.
Look at all these ANONYMOUS POSTINGS. All these whiners.
ReplyDeleteIf the City produces the information the police should join the City's health plan. If not, run police run!
ReplyDeleteThe KC Smut aka KC Star is only reporting one side of the story. The police commissioners are smart enough to gather and analyze facts. Show them the facts and they will make an informed decision.
"The police commissioners are smart enough to gather and analyze facts."
ReplyDeleteRight ... maybe they should start with the number of homicides and clearance rates, that has been going on for YEARS ! LOL
Radioman: For once, I agree with you completely. Whiners and consultants playing spy vs. spy for their candidates. A regular person can't get a word in without having their comments labeled as just those of a staffer and therefore irrelevant. I've been called "katie" several times. My wife thinks that's pretty funny, but it's frustrating. Do these campaign staffers really believe none of us has our own experiences and history with the candidates? Do they actually think we have no opinions unless they tell us what to think? They get on here and villify each other and the candidates, totally ignoring any truth. Looking forward to the end of the election.
ReplyDelete"Look at all these ANONYMOUS POSTINGS. All these whiners."
ReplyDeleteYes, we should all hide behind a handle like Radioman kc.
If I was charged with rating the city employee risk pool, I would take a look at the numbers of smokers standing outside City Hall, then the average girth of those riding the elevators, then double the premiums. Wait a minute, how about the vending machines? Does it not say something, when the health risk is higher for the City Hall employees thon for people who actually get shot at?
ReplyDelete"Look at all these ANONYMOUS POSTINGS. All these whiners." from radioman
ReplyDeleteWasn't RM who said he was going to boycott TKC?
Well that didn't last long.
So now he's back on TKC whining.
LOL/ROTFL
Yeah, the department's HAD domestic partner benefits for awhile, but it's not so easy to GET them. The HR employees are not very helpful in this area, and they are more than a little hostile. It's clear that they don't approve.
ReplyDelete