Oakland police officers will pay into their pension plans if voters approve a parcel tax on the November ballot to restore 80 laid-off positions. The police union has agreed to publicly support the tax measure. 

The news was announced at an Oakland Police Officers’ Association press conference Monday and reported in the Oakland Tribune.

The city hopes to float a $360-per-household parcel tax this November that needs the support of two-thirds of voters and would provide the funding to rehire 80 police officers who were laid off last month. The City Council approved the layoffs in order to balance a budget with a projected shortfall of more than $30 million, and after they failed to negotiate givebacks from the union.

The dispute came down to the officers’ pension plans—Oakland police do not contribute to their own pensions, as all other city workers do. Nine percent would have amounted to more than $7 million this year.

If the November parcel tax passes, the union will be guaranteed no layoffs for three years. Police have also agreed to pay 4 percent of their salaries to their pensions starting in 2011; another 3 percent in 2012; and another 2 percent, for a total of 9 percent, in 2013. If the tax initiative fails, the agreement will be voided.

The police support will make the ballot measure much more likely to pass. Voters will also be considering a parcel tax for schools in November.