Police Overtime Rose 14% in 2007 At Port Authority
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Despite paying a consultant more than $400,000 to devise reforms, police overtime rose again at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey last year.
Overtime costs increased 14% to $48.9 million, compared to a 12% spike in 2006. That represented the second-highest dollar amount in the agency’s history.
Some officers averaged more than 70 hours per week for the entire year, including one who earned $153,461 in overtime on top of his $82,909 base pay.
On average, the officers worked about 500 hours of overtime apiece during the year.
The authority hired KPMG to study its staffing practices two years ago and paid the firm $435,000.
Authority officials said some reforms recommended by KPMG were impossible due to the agency’s contract with the police union that lasts through January 2010.
“The study provided us with an outside professional opinion that confirms we’re contractually handcuffed,” authority spokesman Marc La Vorgna said. “Significant portions of the contract absolutely need to be revised when the renewal is negotiated.”
Port Authority Police Superintendent Samuel Plumeri said overtime is needed to fill critical shifts.
The Port Authority owns the region’s airports, the World Trade Center site and interstate bridges and tunnels.
