Off-Duty Police ‘Parade’ Their Contract Dispute

Off-duty Santa Ana Police Department employees took their dispute with the city to the streets Saturday in an effort to gain public support and to protest what they said was the city’s refusal to resume contract negotiations.

About 150 officers, support personnel and family members marched in an orderly stream up Main Street to the reviewing stand for the city’s Golden City Days Festival parade before the event began, carrying signs and distributing bumper stickers that read: “Crime Pays/Santa Ana Doesn’t.”

Nearly two hours later, as the end of the official parade passed the reviewing stand at Main and 10th streets, the demonstrators fell in behind.

“These people with the signs are very glad you gathered here for their benefit,” parade announcer Bill Lomas said when the protesters appeared just before the 10 a.m. After the parade, Lomas said the protesters’ actions were “appropriate” and that he had no problem with them.

Group Applauded, Booed

During the parade, the officers mingled with spectators near the reviewing stand, catching the sights, but still holding their signs high. While a few of the estimated 2,000 spectators booed them, others cheered or applauded the group.

“They need more money,” said Rosemary Lenahan, a 61-year-old Santa Ana resident who was at the parade with her grandchildren. “They haven’t gone on strike, they’re off duty, and I’m glad they’re here.”

Sgt. Gary Sawyer, a member of the executive board of the Santa Ana Police Benevolent Assn., said the union’s purpose was to make public the union’s nearly 4-month-old dispute with the city and to remind the City Council that “we still don’t have a contract and would like to get back to negotiations.”

Union members, about 440 officers and other department employees have worked without a contract since July 1. There have been no contract bargaining sessions for a month and a half, Sawyer said. The union is asking for an 11.9% pay increase for officers and 24.9% for sergeants. The city is offering a 4.5% increase for this year and 4% next year under a two-year contract.

Councilman Miguel Pulido said Saturday that he and councilmen John Acosta and Ron May sent a memo to their colleagues last week urging that the issues be discussed. He said the opportunity may present itself when the council meets Tuesday.

Councilwoman Booed

Councilwoman Pat McGuigan, who was in the parade Saturday and was booed by demonstrators when her car passed the reviewing stand, said the union’s contention that the city has refused to bargain is untrue.

“All somebody has to do is ask,” she said. To her knowledge, she added, the union has not requested a negotiating session.

City Manager David Ream also said city officials are willing and ready to resume the sessions.

May, the only other council member in the parade, was cheered by the demonstrators Saturday when he rode past them. Sawyer described him as a supporter of the police.

In addition to the bumper stickers, Sawyer and the others passed out flyers that urged people to call City Council members and “make it known that you won’t support them next election unless they personally commit themselves to giving your Police Department a fair wage increase immediately.”