Thousand Oaks : 2 Unions to Meet With City, Mediators

Leaders of two unions representing about 400 Thousand Oaks city employees are scheduled to meet with city officials and state mediators today in an attempt to end stalled contract negotiations.

The Thousand Oaks Management Assn. and the Thousand Oaks City Employees Assn. declared an impasse in separate negotiations with the city. Both unions’ contracts expired July 6.

The Thousand Oaks City Employees Assn. has demanded that the city allow grievances to be decided by third parties. The union has also asked that all non-management workers be required to be union members.

The city has strongly opposed both proposals but has offered a 4% salary increase, said Greg Eckman, human services manager.

Doris J. Lucas, president of the union that represents about 300 workers, said it is unlikely the group would drop its demands.

“We really feel very strongly about this, and 4% was not enough to buy us out on those two issues,” Lucas said. The union is trying to negotiate a two-year contract.

David Cochran, a spokesman for the city’s 120 managers, said his group feels equally strongly about the remaining issues in the proposed one-year contract.

The city has offered salary increases but rejected the union’s demands for changes in policies governing grievance procedures and merit increases. He refused to disclose the salary increase that was offered. Cochran said managers demanded the ability to file grievances on performance evaluations.