Last Minute Offers Rejected by Police Union and Village
Caledonia Police union members have been operating under the terms of the 2011 contract all year. Police union and village negotiations have continued, but those efforts have now been exhausted.
Negotiators for the Village of Caledonia and Caledonia Police union made a last-ditch effort to cut a deal with one another, but those efforts have failed.
A state arbitrator will now come in to choose between one of two offers as the final contract. They plan to meet with arbitrator Sharon Imes on Oct. 4.
Once the two sides meet with Imes, they’ll lay out the evidence to support their respective positions, and then agree on a briefing schedule. Imes is expected to make her decision and choose between the two formal offers sometime in December or January.
The police union is currently operating under the 2011 contract, which was tentatively extended until the two parties could come to an agreement on their 2012 contract.
Village Administrator Mark Janiuk confirmed the two sides had not reached an agreement on the contract, but would not comment further on the negotiations.
“We are still in the arbitration process with the police contract,” said Mark Janiuk, the village administrator. “And, we still have to negotiate the fire and highway contract.”
Bob West, a contract advocate consultant to the Wisconsin Professional Police Association, said the arbitration would likely cost taxpayers up to $20,000.
Last-ditch efforts made by both sides
Members of the police union met yesterday to consider the Village’s off-the-record offer, but West was told that would likely be rejected, he said.
“That didn’t look like it was going to go anywhere,” West said, adding that he would not disclose the terms of the Village’s offer. “It was an off-the-record settlement and we agreed that it would only be publicized if it was agreeable to both sides. What I think is significant is that the Village at least made an effort to counter, but it wasn’t enough.”
The police union also made a counter offer, which included a three-year contract.
“I’m afraid this matter is not going to be settled (without an arbitrator),” West said. “It’s not complicated, but the Village feels the need to insist on the 5.9 percent retirement amount because the law required the others to pay it.”
Police reject 5.9 percent pension payment, but offer to phase it in
The budget repair bill that was signed into law last year exempted union-represented public safety employees from having to make the concessions that other public workers do.
But in November, the Village Board wanted the fire and police unions to pay 5.9 percent of their wages into their state pensions, and increase their portion that they pay for their insurance premium from 10 to 15 percent just as the non-union represented employees do.
Now, because the two off-the-record counter offers were rejected, Imes will need to choose between the initial offers put forth by the Village and Police Union.
Yet, the 5.9 percent provision doesn’t appear in the village's final offer or the police union’s submitted to the state.
Initial offers turned into the state
The village’s offer would extend the expired contract the union is currently working under. That offer doesn’t ask police union personnel to pay 5.9 percent into their pension. The insurance plan has a village-paid $1,000 health reimbursement account that kicks in after a $250 deductible. But police union employees also have a high deductible insurance plan that is higher than the non-represented employees have.
The one-year deal proposed by the village also does not include any raises.
In the tentative agreement that has now become the union’s final offer, the union is asking for a 2 percent salary raise in each of the next three years. In return, employees would pay just under 2 percent of their salaries into pensions for 2012, just under 4 percent in 2013, and 5.9 percent in 2014.
The offer would also increase the contribution to their health insurance from 10 to 11 percent 2013, and 12 percent 2014 for a lower deductible plan than employees have now.
At the end of the day, if Imes chooses the Village’s offer, the police union would be left with an expired 2012 contract and they would be headed back to the negotiating table in 2013.
“Ours is consistent with the tentative agreement they reached in March,” West said. “I think (the Village) kind of figured the data is against them and they’d rather have an arbitrator decide for them rather than make the decision on their own. So they’ve deeded over that responsibility to an arbitrator, but it’s not like it’s without cost.”
oak creek resident
10:28 pm on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Do away with Caledonia's police officers, contract with Racine County to handle it. Half the time they sit in the parks and sit on their fat arses anyway.
Denise Lockwood
8:17 am on Thursday, September 13, 2012
Have you ever gone on a ride-along with a police officer Oak Creek?
oak creek resident
9:06 am on Thursday, September 13, 2012
No and why does that matter Denise, I guess you are trying to tell me just how busy they are right? We all work and contribute to society. If these union employees feel that they are better than the rest of us and don't need to contribute like the rest of us do, then fire them.
Denise Lockwood
9:48 am on Thursday, September 13, 2012
I don't have to tell you they are busy because I can show you. I'll see if they'll let me post a weeks worth of daily call logs... and if I can't post them I'll put it in summary form.
oak creek resident
9:34 pm on Thursday, September 13, 2012
Denise your argument is that since they are "busy" they then shouldn't have to contribute like everyone else?
I'd say that is an ignorant statement, at best.
Denise Lockwood
8:29 pm on Friday, September 14, 2012
OC... I wasn't addressing your position on the union paying the pension, but rather commenting on your assertion that "half the time they sit in the parks and their fat arses anyway." That statement is absolutely void of truth and that's why I responded the way I did. I go to the police station twice a week. I see the call log sheets, the police reports, go to crashes/crime scenes and the criminal complaints. I've been a journalist for 13 years and was the second shift cops reporter for the Kenosha News. I know these guys are busy. However, if you believe that's a demonstration of ignorance, I respectfully disagree with you.
impish
12:56 pm on Thursday, September 13, 2012
Mike obviously you have no clue as to what these officers do. I would also suggest a ride along. Or better yet have you go thru the garbage of a suspected drug house. Then of course you would have the honor to rush in with a search warrant to apprehend the guy which you went thru his garbage. Then spends hours documenting the case to make sure he doesn't return to sell drugs to your kid.
Avenging Angel
3:47 pm on Thursday, September 13, 2012
I've heard Caledonia Police described as "Meter Maids with guns", but my limited interactions with them have been mostly positive.
Let the arbitrator decide.
christopher g tisler
7:30 pm on Thursday, September 13, 2012
When W.E. expanded the village received funding for additional police this was to be short term Five years for five people but was not. The funding is long gone .We still have the extra police in my opinion we are over policed Have your taxes gone down? I have found them to be pushy young guns. Has any one else had a problem with getting a receipt when paying a ticket at the window it was like pulling teeth to get one Mike has a point
Scotty
9:13 pm on Thursday, September 13, 2012
No raise since 2007, a 401k with no company contribution and a $10,000 insurance deductible. Sure, raise my taxes so you guys can be a little more comfortable!
oak creek resident
9:37 pm on Thursday, September 13, 2012
But Scotty, Denise says that they are "busy", unlike you or I or 97% of the rest of us who are NOT police officers and have to contribute to our pensions or 401Ks.
SOunds silly doesn't it? I agree but heck its all she has for an argument.
Denise Lockwood
8:31 pm on Friday, September 14, 2012
OC... you are interjecting a position that I have not made and will not make. See my previous comment.
oak creek resident
10:36 pm on Friday, September 14, 2012
Denise, face it, you think they should not pitch in for benefits. Same with teachers. Don't try to pretend to be impartial, you are anything but. A poor reporter indeed.
Heather in Caledonia
8:28 am on Friday, September 14, 2012
I feel for the police officers - I really do. It's a job I would not want nor would I do well at. Staffing levels might be something to look at here. Is Christopher correct? Have we kept the extra 5 officers without now having the funding? What is our coverage in terms of population? How does that compare with other municipalities?
As I've stated when the school board pleads for more money, WE don't have anymore. My husband has not received a 2% salary raise, my businesses have not increased by 2%, our cost of living has gone up, also. We have to pay more for healthcare and have a high deducible. If reducing staffing levels doesn't seem like a good idea, maybe they'll have to cut benefits.
Does the Village have extra money coming in? Are we spending it wastefully somewhere else? From what I've heard, we don't have the extra money and will need to raise taxes.
Denise Lockwood
8:33 pm on Friday, September 14, 2012
Heather, spoke to CAPD today about this. The WE Energies money/officers are gone and have been since early 2011.
rudi wendt
1:55 pm on Friday, September 14, 2012
Denise, I for one would LOVE to see this. YOU, of all people know what has and is STILL going on with me. I personally have been seeing these officers sitting every where else except where I NEEDED them to be. I 'm not sure who the police are worker for,WEPCO or the PEOPLE? 5 years of HARASSMENT and STILL to this day SEPT.14,2012. Nothing to lose here.
Ed
4:24 pm on Friday, September 14, 2012
The Lt. from Oak Creek P.D. who nealy lost his LIFE during the Sikh Temple shooting is a perfect example of why Police Officers shouldn't have to contribute one fricken cent. These men and women put their lives on the line everyday and for that alone they shouldn't have to contribute. Whether they're busy or not is the dumbest arguement I've ever heard.
oak creek resident
10:38 pm on Friday, September 14, 2012
Ed you are not a very deep thinker, are you? I am willing to bet just as many construction workers die each year, if not more. Far riskier work too.
I guess that's over your head though, sucks to be you.
Angelene
7:19 pm on Friday, September 14, 2012
I agree with you, Ed. I also agree that the same should be done for fire fighters who risk their lives to save others. Some jobs are just "thank less" and police officers, teachers, military personnel & firemen are unfortunately often put in that category.
Heather in Caledonia
10:19 pm on Friday, September 14, 2012
Sorry, but I really don't see how teachers put their lives on the line everyday. Oh, wait, it some school districts it IS that dangerous!
Doctors, nurses, and medical researchers save lives everyday, so shouldn't they get some compassion, also?
Yes, I agree that their jobs are dangerous, but so are many other occupations. We, as a village, cannot afford to pay full medical, dental, life insurance, and retirement along with giving pay raises for the number of people we employ. Maybe we could if we stopped paving roads, planning for new development and answering the phones at the hall. If you can find something that should be cut from the budget, please post it. I haven't seen a copy of the budget, but now I'm interested in taking a look.
Denise, have the police offered any suggestions as to where the money should come from? Any places to cut back or raise money other than taxes?
christopher g tisler
8:12 pm on Friday, September 14, 2012
I am not diminishing what the police have to do. It is a job I do not envy Iam just saying we are over policed. Why after the funding was stopped at least a year ago do we still have over staffing, Why are so many people from Oak Creek so interested in Calidonias politics? Just asking
rudi wendt
6:27 am on Saturday, September 15, 2012
I hate to say this , but after 5 years of harassment, and realizing who the police are working for, I have not much compassion. It is not like the police were drafted. This is the JOB they pursued. The kind of JOB a person dang well knows is dangerous. Thank God there are people willing to do this JOB. They went into this on their own free will. Some people end up working in a factory, or other numerous JOBS not knowing of the dangers, chemical ,physical or what have you. I have met more police in the last 5 years then I have in the last 50 years. Some were compassionate, others were just, I'll just leave it to your imagination. I've had a long day, so I better stop before I say something I'll regret.
John Taxthepoor
6:52 am on Saturday, September 15, 2012
THE HEALTH INSURANCE REALLY DOESN'T MATTER IF OBAMA IS RE ELECTED, THE VILLAGE WILL JUST PAY THE PENALTY AND GOOD LUCK ON THOSE MYSTERIOUS INSURANCE POOLS. ACT 10 SAYS COPS AND FIRE DUDES DON'T PAY, THEY ARE GOING TO GIVE THEM THE FULL AMOUNT IN 3 YEARS THAT IS REASONABLE. CALEDONIA PD IS LOWEST RATIO STAFFED DEPARTMENT PER POPULATION, A GOOD VALUE UNIT.
TO THAT OAK CREEK LOSER, SITTING IN THE PARKS, IF YOU GO UP TO THEM THAT IS PART OF THEIR PATROL AREA AND THEY ARE OFTEN TYPING REPORTS IN THEIR CAR. SOME EVEN ARE EATING THEIR LUNCH BUT THEIR NOT SUPPOSED TO DO THAT DURING A 8-12 HOUR SHIFT.
WHEN THIS IS ALL SAID AND DONE, THEY STILL WILL COMING JOHNNY SMARTLY TO YOUR OR SOMEONE ELSES GUN/SHOOTER CALL AND DO THEIR JOB. IF THEY GET KILLED, JUST WEAR A BLACK ARM BAND AND SAY AWWWWW, BUT HE SHOULD HAVE PAID 5.9 INTO HIS PENSION.