The La Palma POA, led by its president, Les Parsons, pushed the City from a 1% salary offer to a 16.4% salary increase over three years plus other benefit enhancements.  La Palma POA went into negotiations this year gearing up for an expected battle, given the City's recent posturing on its economics and the fact that La Palma had fallen to the bottom of their traditionally used survey.  Each time, when negotiations seemed stalled, the POA would gear up to take its message to the public and the City would show more movement until finally a deal was reached both sides could live with.

The deal calls for a 7.4% raise in year one, a 4% raise in year two and a 5% raise in the third and final year of the contract.  The City also agreed to continue to absorb the cost of the increases in health insurance.  Sick leave sell back was increased from 20 to 50 hours per year.  Holiday hours were increased to cover the full day (10 or 12 hours, depending on assignment).  Finally, it was agreed to provide 15 minutes per shift of overtime for briefing and preparation.