Citing the Trouble Spots

Two concessions by the Police Union may jeopardize the tentative agreement when the body of officers considers ratification. Mr. Raetz acknowledged that either one could blow apart the pending deal, or at least nervously narrow the needed number of 50 percent plus 1 for endorsement. “I will need my powers of persuasion,” he said. One concession calls for union members to pay 5 percent of their medical premiums for the first time. Some members will view that arrangement as merely opening a door to further give-backs, the president said. Mr. Raetz estimated that between 15 percent and 20 percent of fellow officers will flatly vote no. “This group never would vote for anything that involves giving up,” Mr. Raetz said. The other issue is equally volatile — calling for the union members to forego a 1.95 percent raise due at the end of the agreement, July 1, 2009.