Cops, Firefighters Demand Raises

NEW YORK — Invoking the sacrifices made on Sept. 11, thousands of off-duty police officers and firefighters jammed Times Square on Thursday to pressure the city to meet their demands for higher pay.

Some chanted, “Too much praise, too little raise,” and carried placards saying, “They say, ‘Never forget.’ We say, ‘Already forgotten.’ ”

“All of these politicians were at ground zero talking about how much we were worth,” said firefighter Kevin Roth, who was part of the throng. “Eleven months later, it’s business as usual.”

The two-hour rally was organized by the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Assn. and the Uniformed Firefighters Assn. Beginning New York firefighters earn $32,724 a year, and starting police officers $31,305.

Police union members--whose contract expired July 31, 2000--have been upset over reports that a state arbitration panel might approve a two-year contract that includes an increase in workdays.

Reports said the contract would include annual 5% raises; the union wants a 23% pay increase over two years.

The firefighters have been without a pay raise for 40 months.

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg has said he would like to pay police and firefighters more but is hampered by a $5-billion budget shortfall.