Anaheim Police Dept.’s 24-Hour Virus Ends

The city’s police officers, having recovered from a 24-hour “blue flu” epidemic, returned to work Wednesday with their union leaders calling the job action a “remarkable success” and planning to confront the City Council over their demands for a new labor contract.

“As far as solidarity is concerned, this was a remarkable success,” said Bruce Bottolfson, president of the Anaheim Police Assn., who noted that 197 of 205 officers scheduled to work between 6 a.m. Tuesday and 6 a.m. Wednesday called in sick.

With 96% of its police officers participating in the walkout, the city was obliged to patrol its streets and respond to calls for assistance with Police Department management personnel and with officers on loan from surrounding cities.

On Wednesday, all Anaheim officers reported back to duty.

Police Chief Randall Gaston said emergency services were not affected by the walkout and all calls for assistance were answered. “We had experienced field officers on duty and, as you would expect, there was a comparable level of service,” Gaston said.

The union--without a contract for 18 months, and without a raise since 1991--is demanding that salaries be increased 10% through July 1995, and has rebuffed the city’s offer of a 10% to 11.5% raise through July, 1996.

“The city was telling us (by not seeking a court order to stop the walkout) it was put up or shut up time. Well, we put up,” Bottolfson said. “So we are going to go to the council next Tuesday, and tell them, ‘Let’s get on with this, and sit down and negotiate this thing.’ ”

More than 400 officers and supporters have twice picketed council meetings in recent months, and union officials expect a similar demonstration Tuesday.

But several council members said Wednesday they doubted the union’s tactics will have any effect on negotiations.

“In this time of a tough economy and tight budgets, the city is offering a very good package,” Mayor Tom Daly said. “Any increase of wages and benefits should be appreciated. But this doesn’t mean I’m not open to solutions.”

Councilman Frank Feldhaus called the sickout “very unprofessional” and said it might make negotiations more difficult.

“I don’t like it when they try to hold a hammer over the citizens’ heads,” Feldhaus said. “This is an indication of their bad faith.”