Attempt to halt medical pay deductions thwarted in court

Tariq Malik

HUNTINGTON BEACH -- An attempt by city police to stop paycheck

deductions by the city for medical expenses failed in a Santa Ana

courtroom Tuesday.

Orange County Superior Court Judge Stewart T. Waldrip sided against

the Huntington Beach Police Officers’ Assn. in its quest for an

injunction against automatic check deductions to cover increasing medical

benefit premiums.

The deductions, ranging from about $20 to $200 depending on an

officer’s benefit package, are necessary to cover increases in health

plan premiums this year, city officials said.

“The association was hoping for a preliminary injunction on the

deductions until the matter went to trial,” said Bill Workman, assistant

city administrator. “Though the judge did not support that, and believed

the city has a strong case, the police association could pursue a trial.”

Union president Russell Reinhart and attorney Greg Peterson did not

return phone calls Wednesday.

The police officers union filed for a restraining order last month to

block the pay deductions, claiming that they were illegal since salary

negotiations were still unsettled between officers and the city.

In the past, Reinhardt has maintained that the state’s

Myers-Milias-Brown Act, which governs how deductions are handled between

public agencies and employee organizations, would prohibit any

modifications to police benefits or salary until the negotiations reach

conclusion.

But Waldrip supported the city’s position that until the wage dispute

is settled it will follow the benefit agreement in the most recent labor

contract with the police officers. That contract expired in September.

Workman said that city and police union officials met Tuesday with

state mediator David Hart in salary talks that lasted about nine hours.

“We’re very satisfied about the discussion, and the city is

considering a special meeting of the City Council to review the matter,”

he said.