Despite public agencies crying the blues when it comes to negotiations, successful salary increases are still obtainable. As I explain at the negotiating table, it comes down to priority. We all know that public safety is, or certainly should be, the highest priority. If the City has to shut down the library or not mow the lawn in the parks, so be it. The public demands excellent public safety and excellent public safety requires excellent compensation and benefits. An example of two agencies which properly set their priorities in salary on re-openers negotiated by Lackie & Dammeier LLP are Upland POA and Los Angeles School POA.

Upland POA

Admittedly, the City of Upland is not a financially healthy organization. Despite its condition, it has agreed to immediately increase police officers salary 6% with another 5% in 2004, in essence providing an 11% increase in the next 8 months. This increase should place Upland near the top of the pay scale in the County. It is the hard work of the POA and its members during the last contract negotiations, which was a battle, which included picket signs, billboards and work slowdowns, that caused the City to re-think its position in the current re-opener.

Los Angeles Schools POA

Unlike Cities, who are simply claiming possible reductions in state provided money, the school districts are actually being impacted with significant reductions. Here too, the District finally came to the realization of prioritizing public safety in providing a 5.3% increase in salary, with another re-opener for 2003 in 2 months. As in Upland, this increase did not happen on its own, but only as result of the POA leaders working closely with its supporters on the school board to their benefit.

For those associations now facing negotiations, here are but a few examples of how POA leadership and a little help from your members can make the difference.

About the author, Dieter C. Dammeier is a partner with the law firm of Lackie & Dammeier LLP who represents Police Associations throughout California in discipline and labor matters.