PORAC Article

Negotiations Update
By Dieter C. Dammeier
LACKIE & DAMMEIER LLP

With the economy starting to rebound, a number of police associations have been able to successfully negotiate good contracts for their members.  Below are agreements recently reached with groups represented by Lackie & Dammeir, LLP.

Rialto PBA

            After some contentious negotiations, agreement was finally reached on a two year contract, ending December 31, 2005.  The two year contract calls for a 6% raise, retroactive to January 1, 2004 and another 6% raise effective January 1, 2005.  Also provided for are take home cars for two on-call detectives.  The medical cafeteria plan will be increased from $525.00 to $855.00.  Retiree medical will be increased to $635.00.  Other miscellaneous benefits were increased including accrual of vacation time and an increase in tuition reimbursement to $1,500.00 per year. 

Monterey Park POA

            Monterey Park POA entered into a two year agreement, ending June 30, 2006.  MPPOA’s contract calls for a 3.75% increase in year one and another 3.75% in year two.  One area of contention in negotiations was increasing retiree medical.  The City ultimately agreed to increasing active employees medical cafeteria plan $80.00 each year to $720.00, however, was reluctant to provide further increases to retirees.  The POA felt strongly in ensuring the retiree’s were taken care of.  Finally, an agreement was reached to provide a $40.00 per year increase in the retiree’s premium plan, for a maximum benefit of $600.00 per retiree.   

Azusa POA

            In 2003, the City of Azusa, in an effort to save funds asked the POA to forego a salary increase due for a period of four months.  The APOA agreed to this and received their raise of 9.24% for officers, 12% for corporals and 12.7% for sergeants in December of 2003, four months late.  In exchange for this delay, the POA negotiated a salary survey to be done in 2004, to take effect September 1, 2004.  As a result of the Association’s foresight, its agreement to forego the raise for four months in 2003 will provide a new permanent salary increase of 11% for officers, 8% for corporals and 9% for sergeants.  Accordingly, in the last ten months, APOA members obtained a more than 20% pay increase. 

            The City attempted to wiggle out of its negotiated agreement once it learned of the significant increase, however, at the end of the day realized it was legally bound to provide the negotiated salary increases.  All of this is taking place in the background of negotiations for a new Memorandum of Understanding in which the City has been pushing for benefit reductions, of course, the POA will never agree to reducing their benefit package. 

            Indian gaming initiatives are on the ballot, which will bring in more revenue to local agencies, along with other county and local initiatives.  PERS has announced significant profits in its investment during this past year, which will provide a net result of significantly reduced PERS rates in coming years.  It appears the speeches of doom and gloom usually given out by public employers are being shown to be without merit. In other words, the sky is clearing and good contracts are realistic with a little footwork and dedication. 

About the author: Dieter C. Dammeier is an LDF Panel Attorney representing associations throughout Southern California in labor and disciplinary matters.