Baldwin Park Police Seek Public Support Over Pact

The Baldwin Park Police Assn. will ask for community support in its effort to reach a contract agreement with the city, the association’s attorney said.

“The city proposed a 7.5% raise in the first year of a two-year contract, but only if we give up overtime benefits, which every other department has,” said attorney Stephen Silver. “That’s the major obstacle to reaching an agreement.” The city has offered a 5% raise the second year.

Mayor Leo King and Acting City Manager Michael Yelton could not be reached last week for comment.

Members of the 70-member union, which includes sergeants and officers, dispatchers and records clerks, have been working without a contract since June 30, when their two-year contract expired.

Silver said the union proposed that the two sides use mediators or arbitrators but that was rejected by the city.

Although union members would like community support, Silver didn’t rule out a strike. “That’s a possibility,” he said. “We have no plans to do it at this time. We hope it doesn’t come to that.”