FLSA Thread

We're going to claim to be in the dark about this entire episode. We still aren't sure how it works, but from what's posted below (from our comment section), it sure sounds like we got burned:

• What members should be up in arms about is the FLSA ruling. What should have been a great benefit for us has turned in to a loss by going to binding arbitration.Regarding the decision handed down by Benn on 09 Dec 2009,no one can give a straight answer on this ruling.The FOP officers are either unsure of what the ruling means, are embarrassed and want to keep it quiet,or sold their soul's to the devil.The timekeepers do not know what it means. In the FOP newsletter they barley touched on it and did not explain it's impact.It says all FLSA hours worked in excess of 171 hours will be paid in cash. FLSA time is the time you are actually at work.Does it mean that if you work 30 hours of overtime in a period and are compensated at time and one half equalling 45 hours you get paid for the 30 and can put the 15 hours towards comp time? Or does it mean the following? Some periods you work 160 hours. So excluding holidays you could only get 11 hours of comp time in that period. In a period where you work 140 hours for example you could get 31 hours of comp time. Any hours exceeding 171 you will be forced to take money. Either way we have lost a great benefit, this was big concern to the city,paying out huge amounts when officers retire. This will lead to no more retiring with thousands of hours. It will also lead to no more selling back bfd and pdays because you will have to use them. As the department continues to downsize they have eliminated a manpower problem by insuring that you will be at work because you will have no accumulated time left to take off. This could lead to medical abuse which could in turn lead to losing our sick leave benefit.
  
  So the question is did FOP after winning every appeal by the city to the FLSA ruling in the courts make a huge mistake by going to and losing binding arbitration and effectively giving up our contractual right to choose money or time. Or did they intentionally sell out the membership for personal gain.It is well known that Mark Donahue is lobbying to become a lobbyist.VP Bill Dougherty's name was on the grievance that went to arbitration. You can read the ruling on the FOP web site. I would like to see SCC do a thread on this. Maybe you did and I missed it. Also the duty trade benefit which was supposed to be unlimited like CFD is limited to 1 day per period and the time constraints to get it accomplished are unworkable.

Can someone summarize the entire event so it makes sense?