Taking their case straight to the voters
Despite protests against looming pay and benefit cuts, the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association has unveiled a ballot initiative that would leave the cuts in place and require the city to more quickly rebuild its shrinking police force. But the union’s proposal includes a provision that could shield officers from any future compensation cuts taken by other city unions. The amendment to the city charter would prohibit reductions to police salary and benefits unless approved by the majority of officers — an ironclad protection that would treat the police union differently from other employee groups. Now the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association has to collect 25,000 signatures to get their measure on the ballot.