City, police union finally agree to new contract
By THE BAKERSFIELD CALIFORNIAN
After years of negotiation and very public stand-offs, the city of Bakersfield and the Bakersfield police union have reached a contract agreement giving police 6 percent raises to be paid retroactively and going forward, according to City Manager Alan Tandy.
The retroactive payments and increases for the current fiscal year come to $2.6 million, Tandy said Friday evening. It was unclear how far back the retroactive raises go.
"It will sound like a lot of money in this economy, but it has been a very long time since they've had an increase," he said. "We hope it's the first step in more positive relations" with the union.
Detective Todd Dickson, the union's president, couldn't be reached for comment Friday evening.
The Bakersfield City Council still must approve the pact.
The agreement comes after years of wrangling between the two organizations, at one point culminating in a series of roadside billboards the police union paid for to advertise its discontent over the pay issues.
The police union has been without a contract since 2007, and it asked for a 12 percent pay increase both retroactively to 2007 and going forward.
Tandy and Councilman Ken Weir had said the city couldn't afford that amount. The union countered that its members are underpaid compared to officers in like-sized cities and compared to Kern County sheriff's deputies.
Last April, the city offered a 6 percent pay increase without retroactive payments. Police union members rejected that offer. They responded with an offer to accept a 12 percent increase going forward, with retroactive payments back to 2010. Tandy said that was still unaffordable.
"We've been coming closer over the last few months" to an agreement, Tandy said. "It's very good to have it be done."
The agreement will go before the City Council for approval at its next meeting, set for March 6.
BPOA represents about 300 police officers.
Facebook
Twitter
Mobile
RSS
Most CommentedMost Popular
Responding to what he called a case that “has consumed the media and our community,” Kern County Sheriff Donny Youngblood said Tuesday he has asked the FBI to conduct a “parallel” investigation into the death of Bakersfield father of four David Sal Silva, who died May 8 after he was beaten by...
Two cellphones confiscated last week from witnesses to the in-custody death of David Sal Silva were returned Wednesday to the attorney representing the witnesses.
About two dozen protesters stood in front of Kern County Superior Court next to the Liberty Bell Thursday morning to make a statement about police brutality.
The death of a man in custody following a prolonged struggle with Kern County Sheriff's deputies and CHP officers and the subsequent fracas over confiscated witness cellphones have gained international attention and raised concerns here that the incidents could tarnish the county's emerging...
Blood stains are still visible on the sidewalk at the corner of Flower Street and Palm Drive, where a Bakersfield man struggled with as many as nine officers and later died this week.
Responding to what he called a case that “has consumed the media and our community,” Kern County Sheriff Donny Youngblood said Tuesday he has asked the FBI to conduct a “parallel” investigation into the death of Bakersfield father of four David Sal Silva, who died May 8 after he was beaten by deputies.
A war of words erupted Friday over video footage taken of David Sal Silva’s deadly encounter with law enforcement officers.
Bakersfield College will vacate its 2012 state football championship and forfeit its regular-season wins from the 2011 and 2012 seasons because of California Community College Athletic Association rules violations.