Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Labor Relations topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
La Verne police union raises contract concerns amid staffing shortages; residents urge faster resolution
Summary
The La Verne Police Officers Association president told the council the department has been without a contract for 97 days, cited overtime and vacancies, and urged a fair agreement; residents spoke in support and asked the council to act before the Oct. 20 meeting.
Andrew McKinley, president of the La Verne Police Officers Association, told the council during public comment that the department had been operating without a new contract for 97 days and that officers are working substantial overtime to maintain coverage.
"We've listened carefully to the council. You said you supported us. You said you're willing to spend more to help bridge the gap," McKinley said. He detailed operational strain: 168 overtime shifts in recent months and multiple vacant positions, and he estimated roughly $650,000 in budgeted but unspent payroll savings attributable to unfilled positions.
McKinley said the union had reduced its ask in negotiations but was disappointed there had been little movement at the bargaining table, calling a proposed 7% shift of education pay from incentive into base a relabel that would not help officers who had earned education incentives.
City leadership responded during the meeting: city staff reiterated that negotiations have been ongoing, that the city has bargained in good faith, and that the administration presented a last, best and final offer that included a three-year agreement with total salary growth of roughly 9% over the term and enhancements to base pay and medical contributions while staying within fiscal constraints. The city noted it had used one-time funds this fiscal year and tapped reserves in the prior year, making large ongoing increases fiscally challenging.
Why it matters: Council members called police staffing and officer morale a top priority and said they intend to continue negotiations. Residents at the meeting urged faster action, citing recent local incidents and mental-health impacts on officers working heavy overtime.
What’s next: Speakers asked for a contract resolution before the council’s next regular meeting on Oct. 20; council members and staff said they would continue bargaining and try to reach an agreement that balances officer pay with the city’s long-term fiscal stability.
