HomeMy WebLinkAboutPolice officers union settlement
Contact: Jennifer Bennerotte, Communications & Marketing Director
Phone 952-833-9520 • Fax 952-826-0390 • Web www.CityofEdina.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Arbitrator reaches decision on patrol officers’ contract
Edina, Minn., Dec. 9, 2010 – An arbitrator has reached a decision on a 2010-2011 contract for
the Edina patrol officers’ bargaining unit represented by the Minnesota Teamsters Public & Law
Enforcement Employees’ Union, Local #320.
Minnesota state law defines police officers as “essential employees,” which means that while they
are prohibited from going on strike, they are entitled to binding arbitration to settle a contract
impasse. Earlier this year, the City and Local #320 reached an impasse during contract negotiation
for 2010-2011. The City and the union submitted their final offers to an impartial arbitrator on April
28. The arbitrator held a hearing on Oct. 18, during which both the union and the City presented
their respective arguments.
The arbitrator reached a decision on the matter Dec. 8, awarding the union a base pay increase of 3
percent for 2010 and another base pay increase of 3 percent for 2011.
“Edina has a great Police Department. The men and women who work in our Police Department
are key components of the City’s ability to provide the high quality of life that is enjoyed by our
residents. They deserve to be well paid and to be appreciated for their excellent work,” said City
Manager Scott H. Neal in a statement to all employees. “The arbitrator’s decision, however,
presents the City with some substantial challenges in the final days before the City Council finalizes
our 2011 budget.”
The arbitrator’s decision increases the City’s expenses by $101,000 in 2010 and by a projected
$172,000 in 2011. At its most recent meeting on Dec. 7, Council Members expressed their support
of a budget proposal for 2011 that would increase the City’s property tax levy by 1.15 percent.
Increasing the City’s tax levy by 1.15 percent in 2011 generates new revenue of approximately
$300,000 – “just about the amount we need to pay the costs of the arbitrator’s decision, but not
much left over to settle other contracts or do anything else in 2011,” according to Neal.
The City Council will hold an executive session Dec. 13 to discuss the City’s alternatives. In
preparation, City staff members are consulting legal counsel about the options available and Neal has
requested a meeting with the stewards and representatives of the union to discuss the City’s
challenges in implementing the arbitrator’s award. Department heads have been asked to review
their proposed budgets to identify possible service level reductions.
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