“In Cincinnati, we have worked in partnership with our unions to get through the downturn in the economy without layoffs,” Mayor Mark Mallory said.

Cincinnati – Mayor Mark Mallory and the City’s Fire and Police Unions today called on Congress to help Cincinnati prevent future layoffs of police officers or fire fighters by passing the American Jobs Act.  The jobs plan includes $5 billion in funding for local governments to prevent layoffs of first responders.

“Congress needs to pass the President’s jobs bill that helps cities across the country prevent layoffs of our critical public safety forces,” Mayor Mallory said.  “People want Congress to act and they want them to act quickly.  If Congress passes the Jobs Bill, it could help Cincinnati avoid layoffs once again.”

"Cincinnati Fire Fighters Union Local 48 stands with Mayor Mallory in encouraging congress to pass legislation that will increase funding to the SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) grant program; we are hopeful that this program will allow the City to fill some of 80 positions that have been left vacant due to attrition," said Matt Alter, Vice President of Cincinnati Fire Fighters Union Local 48

“The Cincinnati FOP appreciates the continued support from the citizens of Cincinnati and encourages each and every citizen to contact their elected officials in Washington, DC and ask them to support law enforcement in Cincinnati by supporting the COPS Grant Program,” said Kathy Herrell, President, Queen City Lodge No. 69.

During the recession, the Mayor Mallory and a majority of City Council have passed 3 consecutive balanced budgets that prevented layoffs of police officers or fire fighters despite projected deficits caused by the recession.  The unions have been a partner in crafting the balanced budgets by agreeing to contracts with wage freezes and making other concessions.

“In Cincinnati, we have worked in partnership with our unions to get through the downturn in the economy without layoffs,” Mayor Mark Mallory said.  “Now our economy in Cincinnati is starting to rebound and we need Congress to pass a jobs plan that will help keep police officers and firefighters on the job.”

In 2009, Cincinnati has received a $13.7 million federal grant that allowed us to retain 50 police officers over 4 years.