Huntington Police Plan to Protest Wages

Armed with tents, sleeping bags and discontent, members of the Police Officers Assn. plan to erect a two-day “homeless camp” on the steps of City Hall next week to protest the lack of progress in contract negotiations with the city.

The union has been working without a formal contract since 1993. Many union members say the impasse is worsening police services, morale and safety because experienced police officers are leaving and few are joining their ranks.

Huntington Beach employees have not had raises since their contracts expired because of tight budgets that city officials blame on the state taking away tax revenue.

Within the last month, police have made their discontent more noticeable. In its weekly newsletter, a group called the Job Action Committee said police will engage in labor actions such as picketing and passing out fliers. Police are not allowed to strike.

“The City Council will not be happy until you and your family are homeless,” states the flier that the association passed out to its members this week. The flier urged members to bring “whatever it takes to live on the steps of City Hall for two days.”

It is unclear what the relationship is between the police officers association and the Job Action Committee.

The union plans to set up camp at 7 a.m. Monday and stay until 6 p.m. Tuesday. The camp coincides with Monday’s City Council meeting, where officers say they will speak on the issue. No disruption in police services are anticipated as officers will live in the camp when they are off duty.

“This is a symbolic event aimed at disseminating information to the public,” said union President Richard Wright. “That’s because it’s our feeling the city has not bargained in good faith and people need to know.”

According to the Orange County League of Cities, the top monthly salary for a Huntington Beach police officer who is not in management is $4,141, with compensation increasing to $5,208 per month when benefits are included. This places Huntington Beach, the county’s third largest city, at 16th out of 22 cities in terms of monthly police salaries.

Police have worked under three informal agreements since 1993 but without a pay increase. In January, the city imposed new work rules.

The latest round of negotiations ended earlier this month when the union informed the city that discussions had reached an impasse, said Robert Franz, deputy city administrator.

According to the union, Huntington Beach offered police a 3% annual raise beginning in October 1998, contingent on the resolution of an unrelated lawsuit against the city regarding assessment districts. If the city loses the suit, the union says, its members could receive no increase.

Franz would not comment on the city’s offer.

He said the impasse could be resolved through a mediator who will revisit the issue in the coming months. The process could be lengthy as the previous impasse lasted more than a year.

The union rejected the city’s latest offer earlier this month. “It was not an offer,” Wright said. “Many of the officers took it as a slap in the face.”