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Union and Village negotiators bargain over a new contract, Sept. 2, 2026 (KBI Photo\/Tony Winton)<\/p>\nLabor Day is arriving in Key Biscayne with deep disagreement between the Village and the union representing its police officers, with demands for improved pension contribution the main sticking point.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are too far apart on the big ticket items,\u201d said Andrew Axlerad, the chief negotiator for the South Florida Police Benevolent Association. At a meeting with the Village Wednesday, he said the union may declare impasse after the Village Council didn\u2019t agree to pension and wage improvements.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Village is proposing a $10.2 million line item for police personnel in the 2027 budget, which comes for a first vote this week.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou met with the Council. I have no doubt that you\u2019re presenting exactly what their orders were,\u201d he told Manager Steve Williamson, Police Chief Frank Sousa, and Chief Financial Officer Benjamin Nussbaum.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Union and Village negotiators bargain over a new contract, Sept. 2, 2026 (KBI Photo\/Tony Winton)<\/p>\n
The Village didn\u2019t come empty handed to the session. It offered \u2014 for the first time \u2014 to sweeten the pension for retirees with a cost-of-living increase.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe fact that we\u2019re even considering this is a big departure,\u201d Nussbaum told a roomful of police and firefighters. But Nussbaum didn\u2019t offer a number, and cautioned that the increase might not be large.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The pension \u2013 a defined benefit plan \u2014 has been a source of friction between unionized staff and the Village in the past. Public safety unions want the Village to put more into the plan, which currently is performing well because of high stock market returns. But the concern is what happens when there is a market downturn.<\/p>\n
Also in dispute is the way the Village uses state dollars, which unions say should not be used to offset Village contributions.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Nussbaum pushed back, arguing the existing 20% cap on Village contributions isn\u2019t an area where management is likely to budge.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have architects of this pension plan sitting on our Council, and they\u2019re very comfortable with that language,\u201d Nussbaum said. His argument: even though officers shoulder more financial risk with the use of state funds , and the current cap, the approach \u201cprotects the long-term financial feasibility of keeping this plan.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Key Biscayne Police Chief Frank Sousa and Village Manager Steve Williamson take part in labor bargaining with the Police Benevolent Association, Sept. 2, 2026 (KBI Photo\/Tony Winton)<\/p>\n
To the union, those may have been fighting words.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s phenomenally low,\u201d Axelrad said, telling Williamson pensions were the union\u2019s top issue, along with improvements in the system of steps that regulate how officer pay increases over time \u2013 an area where the PBA says the Village has fallen behind other municipalities.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Officers are expected to hold a meeting this week to vote on next steps.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Municipal employees cannot strike in Florida, but can invoke a formal impasse process. The procedure involves both mediation and a hearing before a special magistrate who ultimately makes factual findings and a recommendation to the Village Council.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s time for a reset,\u201d Axelrad said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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