As we have all been observing, with the housing market, the State budget and reduced consumer spending, public employers are crying poor at many bargaining tables throughout the State. While the economy is certainly taking a downturn, the law enforcement market continues to control and move upward the cost of providing police services. As with most things in our economy, supply and demand often dictate the price of goods and services. In the law enforcement market, the supply of officers is still reduced while the demand (10,000 openings throughout the State) continues to remain high. Accordingly, public employers are being faced with the same issues they face in good economic times, that is the need to truly prioritize what is important to their communities. Of course, public safety always tops the list of priorities in any community. Below are three more agencies I was happy to assist in completing contract negotiations.

Buena Park PA Two Year MOU-12.5% Salary Increase

The Buena Park Police Association again did very well for its members this contract. The negotiating team, consisting of Dirk O'Dette, Frank Nunes and Holly Molnar devoted a great deal of time and energy into contract negotiations. The research and data obtained for negotiations proved pivotal in pushing the City into the resulting deal. One issue that stalled resolution to the contract was the City's insistence that the City's Civil Service Board (who hears disciplinary matters) decisions be changed from binding to advisory to the City Council. The City had just recently lost a highly publicized police officer termination case where the officer was reinstated by the Civil Service Board. Rather than be a gracious loser, the City instead wanted to permanently change the rules of the game to ensure that it would not lose in the future and allow the City Council to make the ultimate determination on disciplinary appeals. The Police Association held its ground in this matter and refused to agree to any permanent change in the process. The City ultimately recognized the Police Association would not surrender its members' rights and finally agreed to the economic package that was already tentatively agreed to.

The deal calls for a 5% raise in year one and 7.5% raise in the second and final year of the contract. The Police Association in Buena Park also represents the civilian employees of the Police Department and was able to increase the retirement benefit for civilians to the 2.5% at age 55 plan. Medical coverage was increased from $825.47 to $1,090.07 for year one of the contract and topping out at $1,190.07 in year two of the contract for family coverage. Finally, the Association was able to modify language in the MOU to move from a 4-10 to a 3-12 work schedule.

Montebello POA One Year MOU-10% Salary Increase

Montebello POA has seen some turmoil during the last several months. The POA had reached a tentative agreement with the City Administrator, who just prior to finalizing the deal was removed from his position by the then City Council. Fortunately, in a recent election, two of the City Council Members were replaced with Council Members that were supported in the campaign by the Police Officer's Association. The POA put in much time and resources into the campaign to ensure their candidates were successful. Shortly after the election, the prior City Administrator was re-instated and the Chief of Police was replaced by Lieutenant Dan Weast (the POA President). With a new and supportive City Council, the new POA President, Al Martinez was able to negotiate a quick fix to the POA's compensation package. This included an immediate 10% salary increase and increasing medical coverage to $1,090.00. Education/POST pay was also significantly increased from $90 per month for an A.A. or Intermediate POST to $150 per month and from $180 per month for a B.A. or Advanced POST to $300 per month. With this short term fix in place the POA looks forward to permanently resolving its compensation on a more long term basis in future years.

Santa Paula POA One Year MOU-8% Salary Increase

In Santa Paula the POA negotiating team, led by its president, Ken Clark handled negotiations very well for its members. Santa Paula POA was pushing for a longer term contract to get through the economic downturn and address some of its compensation issues with the City. The City however was reluctant to put significant funds on the table for a long term contract and we settled on a 1 year MOU. The MOU calls for an 8% increase for Sergeants, 7% increase for Senior Officers and a 6% increase for Police Officers, retroactive to January 1 of 2008. Specialty pays were also significantly increased in this contract. FTO's will now receive $1 per hour for each hour he or she has a trainee or reserve officer, the FTO supervisor will receive a 5% increase, Canine Officers will receive an increase from $80 per month to $210 per month and Detectives who will rotate their on-call shall receive $100 per week for being on-call. Uniform pay was increased to $1,750 per year. Finally, the Association received a one time signing bonus of $50,000 to divide among its members.

As many contracts soon expire (June 30) there are several POA's currently in negotiations. I look forward to reporting on successful conclusions to these negotiations in the coming months.

About the author: Dieter C. Dammeier is a partner at Lackie & Dammeier and chief contract negotiator for the firm's clients throughout California.