City announces arbitration award on police union 2009-2011 contract

From press release

City Hall announced Arbitrator Byron Yaffe’s award on the 2009 through 2011 police union contract. The arbitrator awarded the City’s proposal on wages and the union’s proposal on insurance. The City and local PB&PA previously reached agreements on all other issues, and presented evidence to the arbitrator earlier this year. Final briefs were forwarded to the arbitrator on May 5, 2010, and the arbitrator’s decision was issued on May 13.

The police union’s final demand would have imposed a general wage increase of 3.5 percent retroactive to Jan. 1, 2009, a 2 percent general wage increase retroactive to Jan. 1, 2010, and another 3 percent increase on Jan. 1, 2011. The increase in wages would have exceeded $3.8 million over the three-year contract. The City’s final offer will provide a 2 percent general wage increase effective July 1, 2010, and an additional 2 percent increase on Oct. 1, 2011. The City’s wage expense will likely increase by $212,000 this year and $534,000 next year under the new contract.

The arbitrator determined the police union personnel will not be required to pay higher health plan premiums or deductibles throughout the contract, despite the City’s request to bring those items in line with AFSCME and non-union employees. Police union personnel will continue on their current plan and at the current rates through the life of the contract.

From the May 19-25, 2010 issue