PORAC Article

Negotiations Update
 By: Dieter C. Dammeier, Lackie & Dammeier LLP

 With all the economic woes in the State Capital, which are having impact on city and county budgets, obtaining a good contract is still feasible.  Below are three examples of contracts recently negotiated by Lackie & Dammeier LLP.

La Habra POA

             After some contentious negotiation sessions, the City of La Habra and La Habra POA have settled on an 18-month Agreement, which include substantial salary increases.

             Lieutenants will receive an 11% increase, Sergeants and Corporals 7%, and Officers 8%, retroactively to November of 2003.  In addition the uniform allowance was increased $75 and minimum court time was increased to four hours from three hours for graveyard personnel.  There is a reopener for health insurance so that this matter may be negotiated separately during the term of the contract.

             This contract would not have taken place but for the hard effort of the POA’s negotiating team and especially its President’s, Pete Di Pasqua who organized the background information, made the behind the scenes contacts and refused to surrender his position in negotiations.

Signal Hill POA

             The Signal Hill Police Officers Association and the City of Signal Hill have agreed on a 2-year contact calling for a salary increase of 5%; 3% in 2004 and 2% in 2005.  Health insurance premium contributions were increased $75.00 to a total of $775.  Special assignment pay was also increased to 3.5% for field training officers.  A new benefit of stand-by time of $100 per weekend or holiday for detectives required to be on call was also implemented.

 Negotiations Update

             The big-ticket item for this contract was implementing a new plan for retiree health insurance.  A new plan was implemented calling for retirees with five years of service with the City of Signal Hill to receive retiree insurance premium contributions.  It is a graduating scale where after 16-years of service the employee and one dependant or spouse is covered at 100%. 

Fontana PBA

             The Fontana Police Benefit Association, which represents the police civilian employees and the City of Fontana have agreed to a 3-year contract, which includes significant increases in salary and other benefits.  The contract calls for a salary comparison survey to be conducted which will require a 6% to 18% salary increase for all unit employees depending on classification, retroactive to July 1, 2003.  Additionally, all unit members will receive an additional 3% increase in July of 2004; another 3% in January of 2005 and a final 3% increase in January of 2006.  Longevity was implemented to provide a $500 per year payment to all employees hired before 1990.  A 10% increase in medical insurance premium contributions was implemented and an additional holiday was added.

             About the Author:  Dieter C. Dammeier is an LDF Panel Attorney with Lackie & Dammeier LLP, representing police associations in negotiations and disciplinary matters.