I was listening to the Chris Salcedo show Friday and was appalled by several callers who seemed to be under the mis-impression that the police and fire pension fund was brokered (and broken) by "union bosses" who somehow finagled this deal with their political cronies.
But the truth is, this was a city hall plan from the get-go as a means to retain officers who were leaving in droves in the mid-90s. The pension plan was approved every step of the way before it even made it to the rank and file. Even the IRS had to approve it before it was implemented.
Oh, and just a reminder, there are no "union bosses" for the police and firefighters rank and file. Unions? No. There are fraternal associations that were formed to present members' concerns to City Hall. These organizations were also formed to protect the legal rights of their members.
Collective bargaining?
Hardly.
Try collective begging.
That is why Dallas Police and Firefighters have always had to sue the city of Dallas every step of the way in order to make city officials follow the law regarding state constitutionally protected pay and benefits.
That is why it's so important not to trust the city of Dallas or Mayor Rawlings when they trot out their solution for the pension fund. They have never, ever followed the law, much less done what is right.
#PoundOfFlesh #savethepension #backtheblue #broken promises
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