Agenda - Council - 08/27/1985 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Oouncilmenber Reiman stated that 1/28 might have caused the union but the police department was stubborn to go to the union for 1/28. Last year's contract negotiations were fair but this year it is more one - sided. ' Oouncilmember Reiman stated that he wants something in return to make him feel more comfortable with the increase. Oouncilmenber Reiman stated he is not comfortable giving the increase just because other city departments got it. Mr. Schnelle stated that the City better have a good case prepared if it goes to arbitration. 'lhe arbitrator will ask why Ramsey can't afford the increase and the City better be prepared to answer. Mr. Schnelle suggested that one ' alternative might be to offer the police something that would be difficult to turn down and yet beneficial to the City. Mr. Auspos stated that the problem he sees is that a cost of living increase is not something new and yet the Personnel Committee is requesting something in exchange for it. Mr. Auspos stated that the Personnel Committee wants to reduce what has been given in the past and requesting something in return for that reduction; don't think a trade -off will work under those conditions. been given in the past and requesting something in return for that reduction; Councilmember Reiman agreed that the police may not be more ahead but there is a benefit to working in Ramsey; just because the cost of living goes up and the police want to stay in the metro mean doesn't mean that is what the police ought to get. Councilmember Reiman stated that he can't see giving somebody exactly what they want on a long term contract; that takes the gamble out of what happens in the following years. fbuncilmenber Reiman stated that he doesn't think the economy is back to where it should be and he could go along with less of a cost of living increase and more on hospitilization. W. Schnelle stated that with Councilmember Reiman's suggestion, at the end of the two years the police salary would be down below average again and the thrust of the negotiations would be back on salary. ODuncilmember Sorteberg noted that the standstill is because of the two year time period and 1/28; there is only 1 -1/2 years left and the 1/28 amounts to $150; a lot of valuable time has been spent on this issue already. It is now a matter of what we can afford, what we can't afford and what we feel we could prove to the arbitrator. Councilmember Reiman stated that there is a certain benefit to being in Ramsey ' and Mr. Auspos was the only one that sided with him on that; the problem is that a figure cannot be placed on that benefit; Ramsey is being dictated to try whats being done in other cities. Mr. Auspos stated that the other officers do realize there is a benefit to being in Ramsey; much to the union reps dismay, the officers chose not to go for everything the union rep suggested they try for. ' Councilmember Reiman questioned why the police have somebody talking for then when they don't need him. Mr. Auspos replied that the officers might not always agree with the union rep but there is security in numbers. ' August 1, 1985 Page 2of4