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Deputies' Union Vote Benefits Public

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 30, 2008

Hillsborough County Sheriff David Gee deserves applause for taking a tough stand against excessive union demands, despite a union-funded attack campaign and threats of political repercussions.

But his rank-and-file deputies deserve praise as well for turning away from a union that seems to have lost all regard for taxpayers.

Last week Hillsborough's detention-deputy chapter of the West Central Florida Police Benevolent Association voted by a 449-137 margin to drop the union. In February, patrol deputies also voted to drop out of the union in a lopsided vote.

The union's comeuppance was well deserved. It had demanded a package with raises of up to 10 percent. It rejected Gee's offer of an annual average raise of 4.5 percent - an increase that most workers would cherish in this forlorn economy.

Negotiations ended up in an impasse. Gee refused to be intimidated.

Now the sheriff and his deputies and guards can work on a realistic contract, one that compensates them fairly for their labors without gouging taxpayers.

The episode should give the public confidence in Gee's leadership and his deputies' commitment to service.

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