Politics & Government

Millbrae Cuts Employees' Salaries

Police Association, Sanitation Workers and Teamsters reach deal with city officials.

City council members on Oct. 19 unanimously approved reducing compensation for Millbrae police officers, sanitation workers and teamsters.

The city will save $460,800 by cutting salaries 4.3 percent for this fiscal year, reducing paid vacation and forcing employees to take furlough days.

"We worked with each of the units to tell us the most convenient way to make reductions," said City Manager Marcia Raines. "So there are discrepancies between the units."

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Teamster Union Local 856 workers are required to take the greatest amount of furlough hours, 96 hours, compared to 83 for sanitation workers and none for police officers. 

"We tailored it for each group so we could get everybody to sign and get on board," said Vice Mayor Dan Quigg.

Find out what's happening in Millbraewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Annual vacation time for police officers will be cut by about half. A new officer, up to 5 years of service, will now receive just 7 days of time off per year. Cops will also have to pay for uniforms out of pocket. A full uniform costs about $300, according to Peninsula Uniforms, which supplies clothing to police, fire and medical personnel. 

In addition, all salaries will be frozen until June 30, 2011, even if employees are promoted.

Layoff notices Teamsters received in September will be rescinded. Instead, those employees will be reassigned to lateral positions.

"We're very happy not to have to lay off our employees," said council member Nadia Holober. "Because people working are paying taxes and contributing to services rather than collecting services."

An agreement between city officials and the Firefighters Association has yet to be reached.


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