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Friday, March 6, 2009 Costa Mesa trying to get unions to negotiate early BARBARA VENEZIA CONTRIBUTING COLUMNIST The way we do business has to change in the world of 2009. Some on the Costa Mesa City Council realize that. They've asked the city employee associations, including police and fire, to open their contracts for early negotiations. Now if we're talking turkey here, "employee associations" are nothing more than labor unions, (yes I said the forbidden U word here), calling themselves "associations" gives a softer PR feel. CM's facing a budget shortfall of $11 million-$12 million. City Manager Allan Roeder already asked for 5% cuts across the board in each department but that doesn't get them to where they need to be. Police and fire associations say they won't open their contracts prematurely without the audited figures later this year, but is that the only reason? Opening negations early in CM could hinder associations in Irvine, Newport and HB negotiating contracts. These associations/unions compare numbers from surrounding cities to justify what they ask for. If one folds under pressure, it wouldn't be a good for the others. But tongues are wagging in city hall that even if the dismal numbers jive, the associations won't give an inch, most likely suggesting the city raise taxes … ouch! Employee salaries account for much of any city's budget. Out of curiosity I took a peek into CM's. I was amazed at how many salaries were in excess of $100,00 plus over time pay ranging anywhere from $30,000 to $50,000 and up was not uncommon. Some defend the overtime saying there were "special circumstances in 2008," but I found the trend carried over from 2007. I guess there were lots of "special circumstances." I was also surprised that employees pay no dollars into their own retirement funds as some in the private sector do. It's all paid by taxpayers. I couldn't help thinking that cutting overtime, having employees fund some of their own retirement, and not giving raises this year, might help CM with at least some of the dollars it needs. As I researched, I recalled last summer's Costa Mesa Police Association questionnaire for candidates seeking endorsements. Out of 14 questions, 8 dealt with benefits/compensation, including: "*What is your position on current worker compensation rules for public safety personnel? *Where do you believe Costa Mesa Police Officers should be ranked in pay and benefits as compared to other Orange County agencies? *Do you feel physical fitness is important and necessary in the performance of a Police Officer's duties? Would you support a work out incentive program? *What is your position regarding Defined Benefit vs. Defined Contribution retirement plans? Should the current retirement system remain as it is? What is your position regarding the issue before the O.C. Board of Supervisors regarding the "past service credits" within the 3% at 50 defined benefit retirement program? *Would you support a full-time release president for Costa Mesa Police Association so we may continue to professionalize the organization, and work with the City proactively ahead of time on issues (instead of someone having to do two jobs – one in their free off-time)? *What is your position on Employee Labor Organizations raising political money (PAC)? Do you think Employee Labor Organizations should be held to a different set of rules with respect to political activities? Do you think there should be limits on how Employee Labor Organizations raise and spend political action money? *Do you support current law that provides for punitive damages against law enforcement managers that purposely violate the Peace Officers Bill of Rights and other collective bargaining rights? *If the City of Costa Mesa faced a financial hardship and services needed to be streamlined, what services would you look to first?" This questionnaire's more telling today than it was last summer and you can pretty much figure out where negotiations will head. So who did get the endorsement and PAC money from this association? Councilwoman Katrina Foley. Leading the call to open negotiations; Mayor Allan Mansoor and Councilman Gary Monahan …both bowed out of this endorsement process last summer. |
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