Kevin Cantera
March 30, 2001, Friday
Copyright 2001 The Salt Lake Tribune
The Salt Lake Tribune
March 30, 2001, Friday
(SALT LAKE CITY) - Both sides fired broadsides in the ongoing battle between the city police union and Mayor Rocky Anderson on Thursday as a contract deadline set by the city crept closer.
Last week, Anderson agreed to reopen negotiations with the union as long as David Greer, president of the Salt Lake Police Association, was not involved. He had accused Greer of “bullying,” and said the union boss threatened to strike during the 2002 Winter Olympic Games.
Anderson said he would submit a police compensation package to the City Council by May 1, with or without union input.
In a letter to Anderson delivered Tuesday, the union agreed to return to the table, but the letter called Anderson’s condition to exclude Greer “offensive,” and said it “may constitute an unfair labor practice.”
Anderson immediately responded, issuing a news release that said the union had rejected the city’s offer. “The union’s refusal . . . ends all avenues for contract negotiations and necessitates that a compensation package be sent to the Salt Lake City Council,” the statement said.
Anderson promised the package would include “fair and competitive” pay and benefits. A sticking point before negotiations broke down was a union demand for a pay increase of 6 percent per year for two years. The city has offered a three-year contract with pay increases of 2.5 percent over two years.
The current police contract expires June 30.