Roselle, police union hope to save jobs

The deadline passed this week to save two Roselle police officers from layoffs, but the village board left the door open for more negotiations.

In an effort to cut about $226,000 from the village's operating budget, officials are seeking pay cuts and other concessions from the Metropolitan Alliance of Police Roselle Chapter 258.

If the union and village can't reach an agreement, two rookie officers will lose their jobs Jan. 1.

Union attorney Joseph Mazzone complained in a letter that the village isn't willing to look at other possible cost-saving measures to avoid pay cuts.

His letter was read Monday by police union President Shawn Kooistra during a village board meeting where residents pleaded with officials to avoid layoffs and save DARE, or Drug Abuse Resistance Education, in schools.

"The fact is that we did meet, we did have an exchange, and we did provide you with several suggestions which would have resulted in the savings the village believes is necessary for their budget," Mazzone wrote.

He could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

Union suggestions included reducing officers' work weeks from 84 to 80 hours, which Mazzone said would save more than $94,000 in 2010. To save an additional $50,000 next year, the union also encouraged Roselle not to hire five part-time records clerks and, instead, give some of those duties to officers.

He outlined additional measures to save money over time, but Village President Gayle Smolinski said those concessions won't help Roselle's current budget woes.

"They did not provide the immediate relief we need," Smolinski said.

Village Administrator Jeff O'Dell said Roselle must cut $226,000 in spending in fiscal 2010. Even if the union agrees to a deal before Jan. 1, he said, the village cannot guarantee to avoid layoffs beyond next year.

"The uncertainty of our financial condition makes it impossible," he said.

Both Roselle's fire and public works unions already have negotiated concessions, which were finalized this week and will save the village a total of about $249,000.

O'Dell said he would reach out to the police union again Tuesday, and union President Kooistra said the union is still open to talks.

"Yes, we are willing to meet," he said.