Unions reject Topeka's proposed pay cut

The unions representing Topeka’s police officers and firefighters have rejected the city’s proposal that union members accept a 3% reduction in pay to counter expected revenue shortfalls stemming from the coronavirus pandemic.

In a letter Wednesday to city manager Brent Trout, the Frieden & Forbes attorney representing the unions suggested seven alternative measures for the city to consider before pushing a pay cut on Topeka’s public-facing first responders.

Furthermore, the attorney, Matthew Bergmann, wrote that the unions wished to make a plea to Trout to “please, put people first.”

“Even in the face of COVID-19, the unions firmly believe that the city should take every step to use idle or available funds to serve its people,” Bergmann wrote.

Read more: https://www.cjonline.com/news/20200422/unions-reject-cityrsquos-proposed-pay-cut
(Topeka Capital-Journal)