LOS ANGELES : City, Police Union Agree to Around-the-Clock Talks
The city agreed Thursday to begin immediate around-the-clock negotiations with the Police Protective League in hopes of bringing the divisive contract dispute to a close.
But the announcement, city officials said, did not signal any movement in the talks--which resumed after police officers overwhelmingly rejected the deal the city negotiated with union leaders.
“We want to get this thing settled,” said council President John Ferraro. “We certainly have a great appreciation for the Police Department. We want them to be content and happy, but they have to understand our limitations.”
Officers have demanded retroactive pay for the two years they have been seeking a contract. The city, which offered a 3% raise for each of the next two years, says it cannot afford retroactive pay.
The city will go to court this morning to block a planned sickout by officers. A union-sponsored boycott of overtime duty is under way. Some officers who have signed up for overtime in recent days have been subjected to harassment by their colleagues, sources said.
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