HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - No. 89-65RESOLUTION NO. 89-65
A RESOLUTION OF THE LODI CITY COUNCIL
OPPOSING SENATE BILL 1127 (C. GREEN) PROVIDING FOR LOCAL AUTHORITY TO
PERMIT COMPULSORY AND BINDING ARBITRATION FOR PUBLIC SAFETY EMPLOYEES
AND ASKING THE STATE SENATE FOR A NO VOTE ON SENATE BILL 1127
WHEREAS, the Senate Appropriations Committee sent to the Senate Floor
SB 1127 (C. Green) permitting local agencies to establish a system of
compulsory and binding arbitration; and
WHEREAS, the Lodi City Council believes local agencies should not
abdicate their legislative responsibilities to a non -elected,
non -accountable person; and
WHEREAS, the Lodi City Council opposes this legislation for the
following reasons:
1, Inequity. While the bill technically applies to the state,
it permits an arbitrator's award to be subject to the state
appropriations process. In short, SB 1127 does not really
institute a -system of compulsory and binding arbitration for the
state. Why does the state get to decide if it can pay for an
award, when local agencies simply have to accept an award no
matter how detrimental to other services and employees?
2. Destroys Good Faith Collective Bargaining. Compulsory and
binding arbitration is the antithesis of good faith collective
bargaining. The parties at the table are no longer concerned
with reaching agreement. Each side is forced to posture and
"play the game" to be in the best position for the arbitration
process.
3. Strike Prohibition a Phony Issue. Police and fire unions
claim they want compulsory and binding arbitration to stop
strikes. Strikes are now prohibited for these employees. Local
government employees have been bargaining for over 20 years with
relatively few strikes. Police and fire employees are the best
paid public employees with the best fringe benefits in the
nation. "Public employee strikes" is a non -issue.
4. Local Option Provision Does Not Minimize Bad Policy. The
fact that SB 1127 is subject to oca adoption through an
ordinance does not make compulsory and binding arbitration an
acceptable labor relations procedure. Many bills which merely
provide for "local option" or enact policy subject to a "vote of
the people" are defeated in the Legislature every day because the
proposals constitute bad public policy. This same judgment
should be exercised on SB 1127.
5. Unfair to Other Employees. Compulsory and binding
arbitration gives police and fire employees first priority over
other employees and services in the local budget process. It
will only widen the already existing gap between safety employees
and other employees;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Lodi City Council opposes SB
1127 and hereby asks all members of the State Senate for a NO vote on
SB 1127.
Dated: June 7, 1989
I hereby certify that Resolution No. 89-64 was passed and adopted
by the City Council of the City of Lodi in a regular meeting held
June 7, 1989 by the following vote:
Ayes: Council Members - Hinchman, Olson, Pinkerton, Reid and
Snider (Mayor)
Noes: Council Members - None
Absent: Council Members - None
Alice M. Reimche
City Clerk
89-65