Sutter Creek – The Sutter Creek City Council settled a dispute with its police officers’ union Monday by reverting to its “last best offer” in labor negotiations. The move, combined with other labor cuts, will reduce the city budget by $370,000. The council in a special meeting Monday resolved an impasse in labor negotiations with the Sutter Creek Police Officer’s Association by approving implementation of the city’s “last best offer” for terms and conditions of employment. The action settles an impasse declared by the Sutter Creek Police Officer’s Association, after negotiations broke down. Assistant City Manager Sean Rabe said the council approved the POA’s request for an impasse declaration on September 21st and at the same time, the council directed staff to prepare for a “consideration of unilateral implementation of wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment.” The council on Monday approved that implementation. Rabe said the POA and city council were unable to agree on a new contract, and POA representatives declared an impasse, which the city council accepted. The city council declined a POA request for mediation and reverted to the same “last best offer” the city had made to the POA before negotiations hit a stalemate. Rabe said it takes 2 parties to enter into a contract, but under city procedures, the council has the ability to enforce the city council’s “last best offer.” The city council Finance Committee, made up of Mayor Pro Tem Tim Murphy and Councilwoman Linda Rianda, worked with Rabe and City Manager Rob Duke, on negotiations in August, when the council was facing a $200,000 budget deficit. Rabe in a staff report said the implemented offer “cannot be called a contract,” because there has been no agreement reached with the POA. “Instead it should simply be considered as policies for wages, working conditions and benefits.” He said changes to the policies from the previous agreement included an 8 percent furlough; dental and vision insurance to be included under a medical cap; a vacation accrual cap of 240 hours; and suspension of “Cost of Living Adjustment” and vacation buyback. Rabe said the cuts create a General Fund savings of about $370,000, when combined with those previously made to city Service Employee International Union pay and benefits. Provisions require new hires to pay their own retirement. The offer, as implemented policy, gives the city an option for “additional concessions” and “furlough reduction,” depending on losses or gains in revenue. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.