Mayor de Blasio blasted the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association Friday for protesting outside a state arbitrator’s Upper East Side penthouse over a draft contract — saying they don’t rep the views of all cops.
Speaking a day after the 1,000 cop demonstration, de Blasio said the PBA has no one to blame but itself for the contract proposal, which calls for 1% annual raises for cops over the next two years.
“The arbitration process was initiated by the PBA, not us,” said de Blasio.
He also disputed that the draft contract – which must be approved by the New York State Public Employment Relations Board – would sour his already tenuous relationship with city cops.
“I never think we should confuse union leaders with rank and file,” he said.
He said union leaders have set a “very negative tone,” but that many cops appreciate his investments in the NYPD, including bullet proof vests, new gunfire tracing technologies, and his choice of NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton.
But a union official said nothing will make cops happy if they can’t support themselves.
“None of that helps put food on the table,” the official said.
