HUNTINGTON BEACH : City, Police Union Talks Hit Impasse
Contract negotiations between the city and the Huntington Beach Police Officers Assn. are at an impasse, with the city refusing the union’s demand for a raise.
“Salary is the only issue at hand,” said Senior Officer Richard Wright, president of the 244-member police union, which represents 85% of the Police Department’s personnel.
The contract at issue is for 1993-94. The last contract expired in October.
Robert Franz, deputy city administrator, said the city has not provided salary increases for any employees this year. He said the city has agreed to bring in a state mediator to resolve the police contract dispute and declined further comment.
Wright said police officers have not had a raise since October, 1992.
“The city has not negotiated in good faith,” he said. “The city has not given their negotiators any latitude on salary (increases) whatsoever. None. We’ve sat at the table and wasted time.”
Wright said officers are frustrated that the city will not budge on giving either a salary increase or a pay bonus.
“I think they’re basically taking it as a slap in the face. Here we have a city who applauds their policemen for being such professional policemen and for being part of the best agency in the United States. And they refuse to compensate them,” he said.
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