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Carthage police officers seek recognition as bargaining unit; city administration to prepare council bill
Summary
Representatives of the Carthage Police Officers Association and 21 signature cards presented a request that officers be recognized as a bargaining unit affiliated with the Southwest Missouri Fraternal Order of Police Regional Lodge 27; city administration will prepare a council bill for the public safety committee.
Shelby Howard, speaking on behalf of the Carthage Police Officers Association, told the Public Safety Committee during the Jan. 14 meeting that a majority of the city’s police officers have requested recognition as a bargaining unit and asked the city to recognize Southwest Missouri Fraternal Order of Police Regional Lodge 27 and the Carthage Police Officer Association as their exclusive bargaining representatives.
Why it matters: Recognition as a bargaining unit would begin a formal process for collective bargaining on wages and working conditions for covered police officers, which could affect future labor negotiations and budget planning.
Details presented
Shelby Howard said 21 signature cards had been submitted representing officers from rank of patrol through the rank requested (the committee discussion noted the request would include officers through the rank of lieutenant and below but a later clarification in the meeting stated lieutenants would not be included). The committee report recorded there was “no itinerary or specific direction” at this stage; the request represents an initial organizing step.
Captain Chad Dyneger provided a staffing update during the Public Safety Committee report; Interim Fire Chief Jason Martin and committee members also noted equipment and staffing items in committee reports but the bargaining-unit request was referred to city administration to produce a council bill for committee consideration at a future meeting.
Next steps: City administration will prepare a council bill to present at the next Public Safety Committee meeting; the mayor and committee scheduled the next Public Safety Committee session for Jan. 27.
Ending: The council did not take a formal recognition vote at the Jan. 14 full meeting; it directed staff to prepare the next steps and paperwork for committee consideration.
