Police to Peyton: Hurt our families, we'll hurt yours

[stjr]

Nelson Cuba is over the top on this one.  I believe his "win at any cost" attitude and constant appeals to raw emotions rather than rational and reasonable thinking are beginning to cause irreparable damage to the reputation of the rank and file JSO's.

Is this Jimmy Hoffa's "shake down" Teamsters, or public servants working for the greater good of our community?  What does it say to the youth of our community when the JSO says the way to settle a score is to take revenge on anyone who stands in your way or has a different opinion than you?  How childish this all looks.

The fact is that in this economy, most everyone is hurting and sacrificing.  If the JSO union had a good deal before, fine, great for them.  But, nowhere is it written that it has to last for all time.  Circumstances change and sometimes past decisions weren't the best or didn't stand the test of time.  Nothing is guaranteed forever.  Honor the pensions for existing and past officers and let the City pursue a competitive, but also affordable, arrangement for the future, just as companies do everyday when faced with similar financial adversities.  If it proves out that Jax can't attract qualified JSO candidates with said changes, tweak it again.  But, I suspect, based on what I have read, that Jax will remain competitive.  Don't forget, other cities and employers are in the same straits and they are also looking at bringing high flying pensions and/or benefits down to earth.

In the corporate world, pensions (aka defined BENEFIT plans) are almost dinosaurs.   Nearly all companies today go with defined CONTRIBUITON plans.  As JMac said, retirees get the fruits of their investment savvy and can't blame employers for any shortfalls.  No one guarantees employers investment returns so why should they guarantee the same to employees?

Unions can be proud but they risk a "GM" in which bankruptcy takes place and all bets are off.  Cities can, and DO, go bankrupt too!

[reednavy]

Our city's deficit is not that large compared to cities that are smaller than us. Look at Atlanta, Cleveland, and others.

Still, if you heard that comment off the cuff, you'd think Cuba is saying something worse. I agree that he speaks out of emotion and not logic/reason, which is why he should honestly shut the hell up for a change.