The union representing Stockton police officers and sergeants has an ace in the hole in its drive to finally get a new contract — and it just told the city it’s prepared to play it.
It’s Measure N, passed by voters a year ago. The ballot proposition amended the city charter to allow the police and firefighters unions to take their contact disputes to an independent “board of arbitrators” for a binding decision. The unions pushed for it and three Stockton city councilmembers penned the argument against it, warning it would take budget decisions out of their hands.
The Stockton Police Officers Association, which has gone five months without a contract, warned this week that it has submitted its “last, best and final offer.” Now, it said, it’s prepared to turn to Measure N.
“We recognize that 65% of Stockton voters supported Measure N — a clear message to city leadership of how strongly you value your police department and we are eternally in debt to you for this strong support,” the SPOA posted on social media.
Stockton’s communications office, reached for comment, hasn’t yet responded to the SPOA threat. But city officials, as echoed in the ballot arguments of the three councilmembers, fear that an independent board arbitrating could blow the city’s budget since they only are taking officer pay issues into consideration, not looking at the big picture of overall city expenses.
The SPOA, on the other hand, contends that without a decent contract, Stockton’s officers will be lured away to other cities and counties by higher pay and better benefits. And that could come at a time when concerns about crime remain a major community concern.
Under the contract that expired June 30, new officers made about $6,650 a month. Sergeants earned about $7,860 a month.