The city of Vancouver’s rank-and-file police employees have agreed to a two-year contract that contains no cost of living or market raises, saving the city’s beleaguered general fund an estimated $1.1 million in 2010 and 2011.
The 181 members of the Vancouver Police Officers’ Guild have already ratified the contract; City Manager Pat McDonnell has asked the city council to authorize it Monday. A cost of living raise is tied to the consumer price index; a market raise is reached through negotiations between the union and the city and typically ranges between 2 percent and 5 percent.
“Clearly, we all recognize the severity of financial concerns facing the city of Vancouver now and in the coming year,” McDonnell said in a release Thursday. “This contract is a positive and appreciated step forward for the city, the guild and, ultimately, the community.”
Vancouver must cut $6 million from its budget this year and faces shortfalls of up to $12 million in 2011 and 2012.
City leadership has indicated reducing employee salary and benefit costs, which make up 56 percent of the city’s $131 million general fund, will be vital as it negotiates with its unions.
Police guild members — officers, corporals and sergeants — made an average of $86,714 in 2009, including overtime.
Major concessions
Guild leadership Thursday said that the Vancouver unit has made concessions that are unheard of in public safety.
President Ryan Martin said his group brought the proposal to the city in its first negotiation meeting with a mediator after their previous contract expired Dec. 31.
“It’s unprecedented for any Washington law enforcement agency to give up a two year cost-of-living increase on their contract,” Guild Vice President Dave Henderson said. “It’s a huge concession by the guild and shows our willingness to bear our burden.”
Other employees have also gone without cost of living increases.
Fire Suppression and Command union members did not receive COLAs in 2009. Those unions, along with the Vancouver Police Command union, are currently in contract negotiations with the city.
Non-union and management staff received no COLA this year and last year. All the members of the city’s civilian unions also agreed to give up raises in 2009 and 2010.
The police guild contract also continues the requirement that employees pay 10 percent of their dependents’ medical premiums.
The guild also agreed to continue a subcommittee that is working on recommendations about how best to implement steps proposed by an outside consulting group last year that included: a revised internal affairs policy, new administrative leave policy, new disciplinary matrix, revised grievance process and new discipline review board policy.
The subcommittee is made up of representatives from
the police chief’s office, the city’s human resources department, members from the Police Command and Guild and the Professional Standards Unit.
The subcommittee’s deadline for recommendations is April 30. If the subcommittee is unable to agree, the current contract language on those items will stand.
“It is my hope that with this contract, we will continue the progress already begun on improving accountability, transparency and reform in the department, as set forth in the Matrix study,” Police Chief Cliff Cook said.
The contract also continues the School Resource Officer program with Vancouver and Evergreen school districts.
Andrea Damewood: 360-735-4542 or andrea.damewood@columbian.com.
