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USF, Campus Police Reach Tentative Deal On Salaries

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By ADAM EMERSON, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 23, 2008

Updated: 01/22/2008 11:56 pm

TAMPA - After declaring an impasse over salary talks just weeks ago, leaders at the University of South Florida and the union representing campus police officers reached a tentative agreement on a new contract.

The university has raised the starting salary of police officers from $35,041 to $38,000 a year, USF officials said Tuesday. The Police Benevolent Association will present the remaining terms of the contract to its membership today for ratification.

For months, the two sides have been mired in often testy negotiations over salaries. Union officials have argued that lower pay created an exodus of trained officers seeking more money with the city and county, as well as a dearth of new recruits.

University administrators said they had a good offer on the table. Union negotiators said they wanted a more generous salary step plan than what administrators were offering. The union also wanted terms of the salary agreement for the third year of the contract. USF was willing only to reopen salary talks after two years.

Budget Shortfalls Complicate Talks

With negotiations stalled, administrators declared an impasse. In the end, however, union leaders agreed to the administration's terms.

A grim budget scenario that likely will result in layoffs at USF "certainly has not been lost on us," said Greg Stout, the president of the union's Tampa chapter.

A $1 billion state budget shortfall this fiscal year, and an anticipated $2 billion deficit next year, has left university officials considering how to cut about $52 million during the next two years.

As for the third year of the contract, Stout said, "we're going to kind of take a leap of faith. Our main issue is public safety on that campus. Right now, they're raising the starting salary, which is a very big plus for us because it'll get quality police officers on campus."

Problems With Hiring 'Immediate'

The university police department employs 41 sworn officers, although it has the budget for 49. A report drafted by a former Philadelphia police commissioner, at USF's request, called the department's problems with hiring and keeping police "immediate and growing," brought on partly by a "noncompetitive compensation package."

Without a fully staffed police department, the report warns that the university will be stressed to patrol special events and protect the growing number of students on its Tampa campus.

Administrators declined to comment further until after the union's membership ratifies the agreement. USF President Judy Genshaft said in a statement, "We had the best and strongest package in the State University System because we believe our initiative to strengthen campus safety is critical. We believe this new contract will make the university more competitive with other police agencies in the area."

A rookie deputy with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office can earn $39,115. The starting salary with Tampa police is about $42,000.

Reporter Adam Emerson can be reached at (813) 259-8285 or aemerson@tampatrib.com.

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