Concessions sought from deputies

Noncommand deputies in the Lucas County Sheriff's Department are to vote tomorrow on a package of concessions that could stanch layoffs for now.

The concessions are the result of a tentative agreement reached between Local 3056, United Auto Workers, which represents more than 400 deputies, and the sheriff's office.

County and union officials did not provide details of the concessions.

Asked about a tentative agreement, jail administrator Jim O'Neal said, "We're far from being able to talk about that," and declined further comment.

The county and union late last month were negotiating a package of concessions to avoid layoffs when Mr. O'Neal announced 20 more deputies would be laid off within two weeks. That followed layoff notices distributed to deputies in June. Other sheriff's office jobs have been lost to attrition.

Ken Lortz, director of UAW Region 2-B, placed blame squarely on the county commissioners.

"We've been having a big issue on the commissioners' insistence of layoffs in the sheriff's department and the effect it has on the public safety and on the safety of the officers," Mr. Lortz said. "We hope that [the concessionary agreement] goes a long way in fixing that."

Pete Gerken, president of the commissioners, could not be reached for comment.

Commissioner Ben Konop agreed with Mr. Lortz and repeated his criticism of his colleagues and County Administrator Peter Ujvagi.

"It's a nonsensical approach," Mr. Konop said. "They are asking for far greater downsizing in the sheriff's department than in any other department. In my view, the services the sheriff's department provides are the most important that the county provides overall."

Mr. Konop said that sales tax revenue and returns on investments are up, and he encouraged the county to use its reserves to keep deputies employed.

"When you're talking about vital cuts to public safety, that's when it's appropriate to look at the rainy-day fund and say, 'It's raining,'" he said.

Mr. Lortz declined to be more specific about the package that deputies will consider, saying he preferred that members hear what's in the tentative agreement from union officials first.

An information sheet distributed to union members said there will be no further layoffs through 2011, when financial concessions will end if the agreement is approved.

The information sheet calls for deputies for take 29 furlough hours in 2010 and 115 furlough hours in 2011. In addition, overtime will be paid as compensation time.

Mr. Lortz would not comment.