Yes, you heard that right. Scranton, PA--Joe Biden's hometown--has unilaterally slashed the wages of all police, first responders, and firefighters to minimum wage.
In blatant defiance of a Federal Court Order.
The excuse?
"We don't have the money"
Follow below the Itzl for details:
This all stems from a fight between the mayor and the city council.
The mayor and council remain at odds over the adoption of an updated Act 47 recovery plan. Mr. Doherty has proposed a 78 percent property tax increase over three years, along with a hike in the garbage fee. However, council has refused to pass it and wants the mayor to consider alternative revenue sources.
SNIP
Mr. Jennings told the judge the employees have the right under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act to be paid fully and in a timely manner in accordance with their respective unions' collective bargaining agreements.
He said the administration was trying to draw the employees into its political dispute with city council.
Now here's a bit worth watching:
Mr. Kelly argued Mr. Doherty had the "implied" power under the Home Rule Charter to temporarily reduce the pay of employees.
However, Judge Barrasse questioned whether the administration could unilaterally change the terms of a collective bargaining agreement. In granting the injunction, the judge said the unions have contracts in place that the city is obligated to honor.
So if decisions are made and appealed, it could set the Roberts Court up to eventually hand down a ruling that would completely break the public sector unions once and for all.
City officials have said the pay cut is temporary, and employees will be made whole once the city's cash-flow situation improves.
We've heard that before. We'll see.