Police union to vote on contract today

Tariq Malik

HUNTINGTON BEACH -- The feud over salary and benefits between the city

and its police force may end tonight, after disputes spanning more than

six months.

The Huntington Beach Police Officers’ Assn. is scheduled to meet in a

local meeting hall at 6 p.m. where members will vote on a salary contract

tentatively accepted by union negotiators last week.

“I’m hoping it passes, but it’s strictly up to the membership,” said

Russell Reinhart, president of the police officers’ union.

The last contract achieved through mediation such as this one, he

added, was approved in 1998. It’s been 11 years since traditional

city-union negotiations ended in agreement.

City officials and police officers brought in state mediator David

Hart in September to help facilitate an agreement. They have sat at the

bargaining table with and without him in the time since.

Union officials expect at least 150 of their 215 members to attend

tonight’s meeting, where they’ll vote on whether to accept a three-year

salary and benefit contract with the city.

The agreement, city officials said, features an immediate 11% pay

raise, with 5% total increases each additional year. The wage agreement

includes a 3% raise at age 50 program, to go into effect June 30, which

increases retirement benefits by half, as well as increased survivor’s

benefits for officer families and the elimination of a two-tiered medical

program.

Huntington Beach police officers have been working without a contract

since September.

“I certainly hope it’s accepted because I think it’s about the best

offer the city can possibly make,” Councilman Peter Green said. “And of

course, we’ve reached settlements with the other [public safety] groups,

and settling this last one would be much appreciated.”

In December, the city announced successful agreements reached between

the Huntington Beach Marine Officers’ Assn., Huntington Beach Fire Assn.

and the Huntington Beach Police Management Assn., leaving the police

officers union left up for discussion.

Union officials said tonight’s proposed agreement is much different

from those first proposed by both sides, but includes pay raises for

detention officers and police dispatchers. Both groups have been left out

in past contracts. The proposal also offers the entire officer pool a

wage increase, whereas six of the last eight years yielded no earning

growth for some union members, they added.

Although debate over police officer salaries has swirled for more than

half a year, city officials are hoping the fight might be over.

“Right now it’s a tentative agreement, waiting for approval from the

[police] association’s membership,” said Bill Workman, assistant city

administrator. “We, however, are very optimistic.”

If police union members choose to accept the tentative agreement

tonight, the matter could be brought before the council at their next

meeting, he added.