Gimenez Set For Talks With Police Union Amid Possible Layoffs
MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez is set to meet with leaders of the county's police union amid possible layoffs of about 400 employees.
According to our news partners the Miami Herald, the session which was announced Wednesday is meant to attempt to jump start contract negotiations.
The meeting set for August 21st came about after an exchange of letters between Gimenez and John Rivera, the head of the Police Benevolent Association.
Rivera will not attend the meeting, according to the paper.
Rivera has asked for a property-tax increase in order to avoid Gimenez's austerity budget which would mean the loss of 270 police jobs and 600 county positions starting October 1st.
READ: MDPD Members Called For Mandatory Meeting
Gimenez has said they can prevent layoffs if unions extend current pay concessions and accept less-generous health benefits.
Rivera has warned resident they may need to arm themselves if about 450 police department employees are laid off.
Gimenez said he would send someone else to the session if it meant negotiations would proceed.
An aide for Gimenez told the paper the meeting would likely take place outside County Hall.
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