CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE

MANTECA POA NEGOTIATES 54% COMPENSATION INCREASE

By Greg Kiefer, Labor Consultant

The Manteca Police Officers’ Association (MPOA) has negotiated a five-year contract with the City of Manteca with a total compensation increase of 54 percent, including new benefits. The contract comparables resulted in an immediate raise in salary of 4 percent, effective Jan. 1, 2007, and another 4 percent raise in salary effective July 1. The contract also provides for a $500 monthly increase in employer contributions to medical premiums, effective Jan. 1, 2007. The total of the salary raises, with compounding, comes to 36.7 percent over five years. The total value of the contract comes to over 54 percent, when the increased benefits are included.

BENICIA POA ACHIEVES BENCHMARK CONTRACT

By Larry Aulich, Labor Consultant

The Benicia Police Officers’ Association reached a four-year contract with the city retroactive to July, 2006 that provides for a pay increase of at least 13 percent, with two in-contract market adjustments; a 40 percent overall increase in educational incentives; and significant improvements in health care benefits. The City agreed to establish a Health Savings Account for POA members and to contribute 2 percent of total salary per member annually to the account. The City also agreed to eliminate a proposed re-opener on enhanced retirement that could have affected the “3%@50” benefit and to maintain current health care premium formulas for the duration of the contract.

WOODLAND FIRE RATIFIES THREE-YEAR AGREEMENT

By Larry Aulich, Labor Consultant

The Woodland Professional Firefighters Association ratified its tentative agreement with the City of Woodland, providing for an immediate 19 percent increase in salary for its members. The contract provides for an additional 5 percent in salary increase over three years and a series of market adjustments during the term of the contract. The contract includes favorable adjustments in the medical insurance program that will reduce premiums and increase the City’s contribution to employee medical insurance.

TRACY POA CONTRACT FEATURES 29% PAY INCREASE AND PATROL INCENTIVE PAY

By David Swim, Ph.D., Labor Consultant

The Tracy Police Officers’ Association reached agreement with the City of Tracy on a four year contract providing for a 29 percent compensation increase and a separate 15 percent incentive for patrol officers. The contract also provided for a 2.5 percent increase in education incentives for sergeant and record supervisor classifications. The City agreed to increase by $220 per month its contribution to the healthcare “cafeteria plan”.