Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Labor Relations topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council clears citizen-backed binding-arbitration initiative for police and fire to appear on 2024 ballot
Summary
Stockton’s council voted 6-0 on June 27, 2024, to place a citizen-initiated charter amendment providing binding arbitration for sworn police and fire employees on the 2024 ballot after staff said proponents had submitted the required signatures; at least one councilmember voiced support for public safety while expressing reservations about potential limits on city authority.
On June 27, 2024, the Stockton City Council voted to place a citizen-initiated charter amendment that would provide binding arbitration for sworn police and fire employees on the 2024 general election ballot.
City staff told the council the proponents had submitted the signatures required to qualify the initiative for the ballot and that, because of that fact, the council’s role was an administrative one — to formally place the citizens’ measure on the ballot so the county registrar can process it. Staff also said the proponents would be the primary authors of any argument in favor.
Council Member Wright said he "absolutely support[s] our police and firefighters 100%" but expressed concern that the initiative might "tie our hands" and limit the city’s options in managing labor relations. He said that, despite reservations, a yes vote was the appropriate procedural course because the petition had sufficient signatures and a no vote would not prevent the measure from reaching the ballot and could invite legal challenge.
The council approved the item. The transcript records a 6-0 vote to place the initiative on the ballot, with one member noted absent earlier in the record. The clerk and staff described the vote as procedural and confirmed that proponents will prepare any arguments in favor as the primary authors.
