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San Jose Police Makes Big Concessions To Stave Cuts

SAN JOSE (KCBS) - The San Jose Police Officer's Association is willing to accept all the city's demands to close the department's $11 million deficit, including a 10 percent pay cut, said George Beattie, president of the association.

The union put forward a reform package Friday that includes reforms for active police and new hires and changes in sick time.

Beattie said the union is also willing to allow civilians to fill a number of positions now held by police officers, including patrols at Mineta San Jose International Airport.

"That will save them millions of dollars," he said.

The city has pressed for ten percent cuts from all public employee unions, and had threatened to cut as many as 349 officers if the union did not offer concessions.

With just the pay concessions, Mayor Chuck Reed has indicated some officer positions would be eliminated. San Jose is facing a $112 million deficit.

Earlier this week, 106 police officers received layoff notices. The city said another 155 officers would also face layoffs without concessions.

"The proposals that they make are helpful. We have a long ways to go, but it's good that we're negotiating," Reed said Friday as word of the package became public.

Beattie said the union's offer could save most, if not all, of those positions.

(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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