City officials and police union reach deal to avoid LAPD furloughs, but details are sketchy

Los Angeles negotiators have reached a tentative two-year contract agreement with the city police union that apparently will avert the need for officer furloughs and shave $50 million to $100 million from L.A.’s $405-million budget shortfall.

To become official, the proposed deal must be ratified by the 9,900-member Los Angeles Police Protective League and approved by the City Council. Details of the confidential contract agreement were not disclosed.

The council approved the tentative agreement during a closed-door session today. Council President Eric Garcetti said the proposal would save the city “tens of millions of dollars." He said a majority of members were opposed to furloughs or any other action that would reduce the number of police officers patrolling city streets.

Negotiations have been ongoing since before July, when the police union’s contract expired.

On Monday, Garcetti and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced that they had enough votes on the council to ensure that the city would replace the hundreds of officers who normally leave the force through attrition every year. Some council members favor suspending police hiring to help address the city’s precarious financial situation.

“As in any contract negotiation, neither side got everything they want," said Paul Weber, president of the Los Angeles Police Protective League. "We believe this contract reflects the state of the current budget crisis faced by the city.” 

Weber said the dates and times for ratification would be announced shortly and that details of the agreement would be "presented and fully discussed" with union members. "Pursuant to the terms of the negotiations process and our commitment to our membership, the LAPPL will not disclose the terms of the tentative agreement pending a ratification vote.”

-- Phil Willon at L.A. City Hall

Comments

[jay]

Does it bother anyone that the details of the contract are confidential?

Not that I think we should spend our money on Police and Fire first and "extra" DWP General Managers last, but I don't trust our council persons to do what's right for the taxpayers. They have been deceitful in the past and that bothers me.

Jay

[crooks and liars]

what a scam from city hall evry time they go in close door-session he cost us the taxpayers money , what do they have to hide ,what happen to city hall keep on saying they are transpernt on what they do , is only when is for there owne self serving benefit.
wake up los angeles we are gering scam by a bunch of crooks

[Tara]

yeah, but sounds like the union pres. got his priorities right during the sessions, closed or not: that California's fiscal crisis trumps self-interested parties.

[John]

I have a better idea how about we get rid of the extra "Fat" around the Citys waist. We could easily just get rid of a good 25% of worthless civilian City workers??? A lean and mean City budget can actually grow our police and fire departments at a good pace to keep us safe. I rather have more police and firefighters than some of those worthless welfare programs for ghetto rats and transients that currently leech off the system in a major way!!!

[Matt]

I dont understand why police get this golden halo around them, when they are one of the biggest cost in the budget. Crime is at a record low, more pigs handing out jay walking tickets is not what the city needs.

[Dan]

The City Council's irresponsible spending problems need to be addressed and resolved before any effective deal can be reached by any City union. The recession can only be blamed for so much. The City Council must be held accountable for not having the foresight to see what's coming in front of them. You can't cure "fiscal alcoholism" with more "fiscal alcohol". They must admit they have a problem and get help with it.

[Lapd]

Two year contract with no raises and no bonunes.

Patrol officers recieve bonus pay / hazard pay for being put in the streets.

THEY WANT US TO WORK MORE FOR LESS WITH LESS

[crooks and liars]

to [lapd]if you dont want the job dont take it
some of us are looking for a jobs some of us the hrs in our jobs have ben cutt
city hall have forgot where the money comes from taxpayers and as a taxpayers we dont want to pay for no more fees for cops or any thin.