The administration announced this afternoon that it has reached a tentative labor deal with the Stockton Police Management Association, which represents 22 police employees. Still to go is the more difficult negotiation with the Stockton Police Officers Association, which represents more than 370 employees.
Of that negotiation, Human Resources Director Dianna Garcia said this morning that meetings have been “productive,” but no agreement has been reached. She said, “We’re still close, but no cigar.”
Here is the city’s release on the SPMA deal:
(Stockton, CA) – The City of Stockton and Stockton Police Management Association (SPMA) are pleased to announce that a tentative agreement has been reached after a second extended round of negotiations over salary issues.
SPMA represents 22 police management employees, including lieutenants and captains. The SPMA contract does not include the more than 370 members represented by the Stockton Police Officers Association.
The agreement settles a salary dispute that SPMA members believed could have resulted in a pay raise of up to 22 percent; it provides for a total 15 percent increase, 9.5 percent of which was received in July 2008. In an effort to help the City address the budget crisis, SPMA agreed to significant concessions, including participating in furloughs and increasing their current contribution to healthcare benefits. SPMA further agreed to defer their 2.5 percent cost of living increase, due this July, until the end of next fiscal year and cap the increase at 2 percent. With the concessions, the total package results in a savings to the City.
“We’re very pleased that together, SPMA and City staff worked hard and were able to come to a resolution that is both fair and equitable for our membership and assists the City in the current fiscal situation,” said Lieutenant Cris Trulsson, SPMA President.
The settlement also allows SPMA to participate in an early retirement incentive being offered to other City employees, from which they were previously excluded, pending a settlement agreement. The retirement incentive is being offered throughout the City in an effort to minimize layoffs.
