Rumors About a Police Sickout Have Oceanside Girding for the Worst

Amid rumors that Oceanside police might stage a second sickout July 4 to protest stalled contract talks, city officials are making emergency plans to maintain police protection and, if necessary, will ask sheriff’s deputies for help.

The city manager, acting police chief and president of the Oceanside Police Officers Assn. dismissed the possibility of a sickout--which would occur in the midst of the city’s centennial celebration--as “nothing but rumors.”

But two weeks ago, on June 10, about 25 of 180 POA members unexpectedly called in sick. Officials speculate that the sickout was organized to call attention to a breakdown in labor negotiations between the city and the POA.

Acting Oceanside Police Chief Michael Shirley issued a memo after the first sickout warning officers and other employees that faking sickness violates sick-leave policy and could lead to punishment.

“As chief of police it is my responsibility to enforce sick-leave policy,” Shirley said. “If there appears to be a violation, I have to act on it.”

Shirley declined to detail a specific punishment but said he has the authority to fire an officer for misuse of sick leave.

Contract negotiations, which began about two months ago, hit an impasse this week when a state mediator, called in by the city, failed to resolve differences over a salary increase.

Sgt. Ron Graf, president of the POA, which includes uniformed officers, dispatchers and lab technicians, said the group is asking for a 7.5% salary increase. He said the city’s last offer called for a pay increase of 3.5%.

An entry-level Oceanside police officer earns $1,724 a month. Entry-level police officers in Escondido earn $1,948 to $2,741 and, in Carlsbad, $2,060 to $2,506, according to personnel departments in those cities.

No new bargaining sessions have been scheduled. The current contract expires at midnight next Thursday.

“If a settlement is not reached by the expiration date, the city would honor the contract as if it was still in effect,” said Jim Rankin, assistant city manager. “There is a provision in the contract that ensures the employees will receive full benefits and wages until a new contract is reached.”

The POA did not endorse the first sickout, Graf said. “And I haven’t heard anything about another one.”

City Manager Ronald Bradley was not expecting such an incident either. However, Rankin said, the city is taking precautions.

“Obviously what we do would be based on just how many people participate in such a sickout,” Rankin said. “We will utilize whatever is necessary to provide police protection to the community.”

Rankin said a limited sickout can be countered by suspending nonessential services, such as public relations and school programs or tours, and using the officers from those programs to replace absent personnel.

If the sickout is more extensive and has the potential to cripple the police force, Shirley said, “by state law, I will have to look to the Sheriffs’ Department for assistance. But I don’t anticipate that happening.”

The Sheriffs’ Department has not been contacted about offering such assistance, said Deputy Julie Sutton, a spokeswoman. But, she said: “If our help is requested, we will react.”