Going-away gift for NYPD, FDNY nixed
BY LISA L. COLANGELO
DAILY NEWS CITY HALL BUREAU
Gov. Pataki vetoed two bills yesterday that would have allowed
police officers and firefighters to receive a lump sum of cash
instead of taking their "terminal leave" benefit when
they retire.
City police and fire unions had lobbied hard for the bills,
saying they would keep veteran uniformed workers on the job
longer.
Currently, police officers and firefighters receive three
days of terminal leave for every year they work. So, for
example, a 20-year veteran who is retiring could take as
many as 60 days' terminal leave - essentially retiring two
months early.
But union officials don't like the policy because it deprives
uniformed workers of the chance to accrue overtime right
up to their last official day - lowering their pensions,
which are based on the average of their three highest salary
years or their final year.
The Bloomberg administration argued the bills would cost
the city $21 million for cops and $3.3 million for firefighters
every year. In his veto message, Pataki said he had to listen
to the city's objections.
In a letter to Pataki, Bloomberg slammed one of the bills
as "a disingenuous attempt to use public safety as an
excuse for enhancing pension benefits."
The bills "would have given firefighters and police
officers money they have already earned and are contractually
entitled to," said Uniformed Firefighters Association
President Steve Cassidy.
"This is a benefit that was bought and paid for during
previous negotiations," added Patrolmen's Benevolent
Association President Patrick Lynch.
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