Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC) just published its podcast of David E. Mastagni and Stockton Police Officers’ Association Vice President Chris Sherman discussing Measure N, a ballot imitative in Stockton to establish interest arbitration as the impasse resolution process in contract negations for Stockton Police and Firefighters. The initiative was drafted by Mastagni and the POA Board to establish a process that will eliminate prolonged periods where the POA and Fire union are out of contract by empowering an arbitration panel with a representative from the city and the union and jointly agreed upon neutral to promptly establish the terms of a labor agreement based upon the compensation of similar officers and firefighter in their market. The initiative will not cause any taxes to be increased.
Historically, Stockton’s lack of a meaningful impasse resolution process has resulting public safety employees working months or longer without a labor contract. This in turn cause Stockton’s compensation to fall below the market average for months, and has prompted officers and firefighter to leave for higher paying jobs in more stable jurisdictions. As a result, the Police Department has experienced chronic understaffing and difficulties attracting quality cadets to send to the academy. Many newly hired officers leave for better opportunities within their first couple of years, converting Stockton into a training ground for surrounding agencies. The understaffing prevents the city from providing the level of safety the citizens of Stockton deserve.
If enacted, this initiative will quell these staffing shortages and restore labor stability to Stockton. Proper staffing is necessary to improve public safety, which is the primary goal of the men and women protecting Stockton.
In this episode, President Brian Marvel and VP Benjamin T. speak with Stockton POA VP Chris Sherman and David Mastagni with Mastagni Holstedt, A Professional Corporation about Measure N, which would give binding arbitration in their City Charter and could have statewide implications if passed. They explain the measure, what it intends to do, and why it is beneficial.
Listen on your favorite podcast platform or watch on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gQW32fcP
