(This story has been updated to correct inaccurate information.)
The University of Florida and its police department are in a standoff over salary negotiations after UF’s chief labor negotiator balked at a proposed $15,000 raise.
The annual starting base salary of $50,000 for UF police officers is currently the lowest in the State University System.
UF’s chief labor negotiator, Patrick Keegan, and the PBA’s George Corwine discussed for nearly eight hours on July 7 an agreement that they hope will significantly increase officer recruitment and retention, while also decreasing the department’s significant turnover rate. A final decision, however, could not be reached despite the PBA’s last contract with UF having expired on June 30.
With several active and off-duty UPD officers filtering in and out of the meeting, Corwine presented to Keegan the union’s final offer — a $15,000 increase in officers’ annual starting base salary from $50,000 to $65,000.
Keegan initially offered increases of $8,000 and $8,250 — both of which Corwine declined.
Keegan later presented an increase of $11,000 for every officer for a starting base salary of $61,000 — the average base salary across the State University System and for other local agencies.
The Gainesville Police Department has a starting base salary of $62,000 while the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office offers $57,500.
“It’s very disheartening to hear the University of Florida can’t find $1.1 million to fund the entire department but can approve funding for one person, a president, of $3 million,” Corwine said. “Is it going to take a shooting at UF’s campus like at FSU for the administration to wake up?”
An attorney representing the PBA said the university doesn’t generate revenue and presented data from the State University System of all the state universities with more than a $1 billion budget. The attorney added that UF has a $7.2 billion budget.
“We’re trying to show you that you’re not a Muppet and we just don’t feel like the conversation is really apples to apples,” the attorney said in the meeting.
Corwine cited UPD’s significant turnover rate and examples of officers working longer shifts and serving in other roles like dispatch in an effort to sway Keegan.
According to the police department’s fulfillment rate from fiscal years 2021-2022 to 2024-2025, UF has a maximum number of 89 officer positions but currently only employs 69.
Corwine also presented a recent article titled “Most Dangerous College Town in U.S. Named in New Study,” which identified Gainesville as No. 1 based on the number of crimes per 10,000 people.
If the union can come to terms with UF at $65,000, the police department would be tied for third with the Florida Highway Patrol and Florida A&M University for the highest paid officer base salary in the state, data shows.
UF, in an emailed statement to The Sun, said that it will continue its contract negotiations as part of its commitment to the collective bargaining process.
“The University of Florida has been unequivocally clear about its commitment to the safety and security of the campus community. While both parties may have differing viewpoints at the negotiating table, the university deeply values its officers and their role as guardians of this institution. As such, UF staff will diligently continue all efforts to reach an agreement as soon as possible,” the statement said.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: University of Florida, police department in standoff over salary negotiations
Reporting by Elliot Tritto, Gainesville Sun / The Gainesville Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
