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Fraternal Order of Police
PO BOX 452 ▪ ELKTON ▪ MARYLAND ▪ 21922
Cecil County, Lodge 2
Fraternal Order of Police
Cecil County, Lodge 2
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING ▪ FOR CECIL COUNTY DEPUTIES
Collective Bargaining with Binding Arbitration for Sheriff's Deputies.
The Cecil County FOP, Lodge 2, pursuant to a petition signed by over 1000 Cecil County citizens, is supporting legislation for a voter referendum to decide whether Cecil County sheriff's deputies should be able to bargain with the Sheriff and county commissioners for wages, benefits, and working conditions with either a binding or non-binding form of conflict resolution. This process, known as Collective Bargaining with Binding Arbitration, is simply deputies sitting down with our elected leaders at a level playing field and negotiating issues to meet the best interests of the public we serve. If neither side can reach a resolution, a neutral third party, an arbitrator, will review the county's financial situation, bond ratings, comparable wages and benefits in surrounding jurisdictions, and other factors, and make a fair decision, which is binding, thus ending the matter. This remedy promotes compromise and insures both sides negotiate in good faith.
The most frequent question we hear is will this process raise taxes? Absolutely not! No Maryland jurisdiction has ever seen their taxes raised as a result of a police contract or an arbitrator's decision. Neither will this process prohibit or inhibit the Sheriff in his/her duties. The Sheriff is a constitutional officer, with certain managerial rights which cannot be taken away, who is mandated by the voters to operate his/her Office as they see fit.
This has been a highly controversial issue and one requiring careful consideration. With the exception of Commissioner Jim Mullin, the Board of County Commissioners and the Sheriff oppose this referendum and claim it is too complicated for "average voters" to figure out for themselves. We believe that Cecil County voters are intelligent enough to carefully evaluate all facts and points of view before making an informed decision. Below is the commissioners' written opposition to this process as well as the FOP's response. You will also find a support letter from former Governor Robert Ehrlich and various news articles and editorials relating to this subject. We believe you should investigate both sides of this issue before coming to your own conclusion as to what is right for Cecil County.
Thank you for your interest and support!
The Cecil County FOP, Lodge 2, pursuant to a petition signed by over 1000 Cecil County citizens, is supporting legislation for a voter referendum to decide whether Cecil County sheriff's deputies should be able to bargain with the Sheriff and county commissioners for wages, benefits, and working conditions with either a binding or non-binding form of conflict resolution. This process, known as Collective Bargaining with Binding Arbitration, is simply deputies sitting down with our elected leaders at a level playing field and negotiating issues to meet the best interests of the public we serve. If neither side can reach a resolution, a neutral third party, an arbitrator, will review the county's financial situation, bond ratings, comparable wages and benefits in surrounding jurisdictions, and other factors, and make a fair decision, which is binding, thus ending the matter. This remedy promotes compromise and insures both sides negotiate in good faith.
The most frequent question we hear is will this process raise taxes? Absolutely not! No Maryland jurisdiction has ever seen their taxes raised as a result of a police contract or an arbitrator's decision. Neither will this process prohibit or inhibit the Sheriff in his/her duties. The Sheriff is a constitutional officer, with certain managerial rights which cannot be taken away, who is mandated by the voters to operate his/her Office as they see fit.
This has been a highly controversial issue and one requiring careful consideration. With the exception of Commissioner Jim Mullin, the Board of County Commissioners and the Sheriff oppose this referendum and claim it is too complicated for "average voters" to figure out for themselves. We believe that Cecil County voters are intelligent enough to carefully evaluate all facts and points of view before making an informed decision. Below is the commissioners' written opposition to this process as well as the FOP's response. You will also find a support letter from former Governor Robert Ehrlich and various news articles and editorials relating to this subject. We believe you should investigate both sides of this issue before coming to your own conclusion as to what is right for Cecil County.
Thank you for your interest and support!