Tulsa looking for salary cuts for police and fire

Tulsa Mayor Bill LaFortune is asking for salary cuts for police officers and firefighters to help balance the city budget. <br><br>Last year the Mayor gave officers and firefighters a 5% raise - even

Monday, April 28th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Tulsa Mayor Bill LaFortune is asking for salary cuts for police officers and firefighters to help balance the city budget.

Last year the Mayor gave officers and firefighters a 5% raise - even though all other city employees were asked to take furlough days. This year, the city wants to take back half the raise. The unions and city hall are still negotiating. Some say the city has other choices. Bob Jackson, Tulsa FOP President: â€œWe don't believe the city budget is as bad as they've discussed in public, we don't believe it's to the point we need to take wage cuts or have police employee layoffs.â€

Police officers and firefighters are negotiating separately. The city wants each to take similar cuts.