By David Harry

Staff Writer

Scarborough police officers have exchanged employment security for financial gain and agreed to postpone a 3 percent raise in exchange for the town’s promise of no union layoffs next year.

The offer presented by Town Manager Tom Hall at the April 7 council meeting was enacted without opposition, but not before councilors Shawn Babine, Michael Wood and Karen D’Andrea expressed reservations about the no-layoff clause.

“This really bites,” Babine said. He said he was grateful the police union has made sacrifices two years in a row but was leery the clause could tie the town’s hands in budget decisions.

Detective Don Blatchford, president of the Scarborough Police Benevolent Association, said postponing raises for a second consecutive year drew “overwhelming support” from the membership of about 30 patrolmen, detectives and sergeants.

“The reality of the situation is pretty obvious,” Blatchford said of town finances.

Hall told councilors that members were due a 6 percent increase July as part of the fiscal year 2011 budget because the union postponed a 3 percent raise last year.

The sidebar agreement to the contract between the town and union will give members a 3 percent raise effective July 1, which is the raise postponed last year.

The agreement calls for union members to receive a 3 percent raise next year as the labor contract expires June 30, 2011.

Providing a 6 percent raise due now would add about $60,000 to the budget being considered by the council’s finance committee of Judith Roy, D’Andrea and Babine.

Forgoing a 3 percent raise for the second consecutive year came with the additional caveat that the union face no layoffs in the next year.

Babine and Wood suggested waiting for the finance committee to complete its work before considering the amendment to the contract. However, Hall said timing and good faith were critical in his reason to have the amendment approved immediately.

Hall emphasized the union was not obligated to make any concessions while the town was obligated to pay union members 6 percent July 1 for increases due this and last year.

“I can’t say I can deliver this agreement sometime down the road,” Hall said in response to an option to table the sidebar agreement. He added the no-layoff clause could also keep overtime costs in check because the department would not struggle with manpower shortages from job losses.

The raises will not be retroactive, said Blatchford. he added the no-layoff clause was “high on the priority list.”

 Roy, citing her support for the contract change, said the no-layoff clause “was little to ask.”

The decision to amend the contract but ensure no layoffs was portrayed by Blatchford as a balancing act between the need to keep union members secure while understanding strains on the municipal budget and effects of a property tax increase to pay for services.

“The majority of our members are also residents,” Blatchford said.

As they reached a consensus to accept the sidebar agreement, councilors, including Wood, emphasized they also understand police officers are vital in the town.

“Their sacrifice is anything but conventional,” Wood said.

Hall said this week he also is seeking a similar concession from the union that represents emergency dispatchers. A new labor agreement with firefighters could contain wage concessions as well. He anticipates presenting at least one of the agreements for council approval at the April 21 meeting.

Babine suggested future labor agreements should have clauses that allow either side to reopen contracts if needed.

The final finance committee meeting on the fiscal year 2011 budget was Thursday, after the Leader deadline. A public hearing on the combined municipal and school budgets is scheduled for 7 p.m., Wednesday, April 28, at Town Hall.

Staff writer David Harry can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 219