EAST ST. LOUIS, MO (KMOX)-East St. Louis Police officers Thursday, rejected the city’s latest proposal designed to bring back the 16 officers laid off January first.

The vote against the plan was 38 to eight. Mayor Alvin Parks says it wasn’t the 15% to 18% pay cut for this year that doomed the proposal but two misunderstandings. Parks says there was confusion as to whether the officers would get their pay cuts back at the end of the year, and there was an unintentional violation of the union contract. 

Union President says Kendall Perry confirms there were misunderstandings dealing with the concessions and a possible contract issue.

Parks and Perry say efforts are being made to fix the problems and a vote on a new proposal could come as soon as next Tuesday.

Perry says the officers know they’ll have to agree to concessions to bring the 16 officers back, “We’re going back to the table now to see just what everybody can afford. Something that’s fair and legal for everybody.”

When asked if he’s optimistic that an agreement will eventually be reached, Perry replied, “Regardless of what else is going on, I’m going to find a way to make sure we get 16 officers back.”

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