A judge has denied Louisville Metro Government's request for "emergency relief" in its fight with the Fraternal Order of Police over a fee increase for take-home cruisers.
On Dec. 24, another judge granted the FOP a temporary restraining order that is preventing the city from collecting as much as $1,200 a year from officers who take home their police vehicles. City officials argue the fees are necessary to help make up part of a $20 million budget shortfall. But, the FOP argues the city failed to bargain with the union over the fees before imposing them. The December ruling restrains the city from charging the fees until a Labor Cabinet hearing on the issue next month.
In court Wednesday, county attorneys asked an appellate judge to set aside the earlier ruling until another court can hear the appeal next month. County attorneys argue the city is losing $1.6 million dollars in revenue.
"Even if it is certain the FOP would prevail, either before the Kentucky Department of Labor or with the grievance," Court of Appeals Judge Thomas Wine wrote in his opinion, "when there is a remedy of law, to wit, financial reimbursement or requiring Metro to negotiate terms of the vehicle take-home program, injunctive relief is not appropriate."
Wine wrote that Metro Government failed "to demonstrate irreparable injury prior to resolution of the underlying expedited appeal procedure."
A call to a spokeswoman for Mayor Jerry Abramson seeking comment was not immediately returned Wednesday.