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Williamsport committee reviews agreement to retain arbitration consultant if FOP contract goes to arbitration
Summary
The Public Safety Committee discussed a resolution to authorize an agreement with arbitration consultant Vijay Kapoor to provide economic and comparability analysis and testimony if the Fraternal Order of Police contract proceeds to interest arbitration; no formal vote was recorded in the committee transcript.
The Williamsport Public Safety Committee on June 3 reviewed a resolution to authorize an agreement between the city and arbitration consultant Vijay Kapoor to prepare economic analysis and provide testimony if the Fraternal Order of Police, or FOP, contract moves to interest arbitration. Mayor Derek Slaughter presented the resolution to the committee.
Mayor Derek Slaughter told the committee the city has used Kapoor in past arbitration preparations and that the current agreement would apply “in the event” the police union contract moves to arbitration. Slaughter said Kapoor comes “recommended, and highly qualified.”
Vijay Kapoor, who described himself as an arbitration consultant, told the committee he typically provides “economic analysis, comparability analysis, and testimony” at interest arbitrations and that his work often helps parties settle before a hearing. “In the event that you’re not able to settle, certainly the services that I would provide the city would be providing economic analysis, comparability analysis, and testimony,” Kapoor said.
Councilwoman Bonnie Katz and other committee members said they hoped the city would not need to use arbitration services. Katz said, “Hopefully, we don't need you. But if we do, your reputation precedes you.” Councilman Vincent Polizzi thanked Kapoor for attending and said the committee hopes for a positive resolution prior to arbitration.
The committee discussion centered on the city retaining Kapoor on an as-needed basis if the FOP case proceeds to arbitration; the transcript records the resolution being presented and discussed but does not show a formal motion, mover/second, or vote in the committee meeting record.
If used, Kapoor told the committee his work would include preparing factual economic information for an arbitration panel. No contract amount, authorizing motion text, or vote outcome was stated in the portion of the transcript provided to the committee.
