Representatives of the Brea Police Officers= Association and the City of Brea recently concluded negotiations for a successor three-year collective bargaining agreement.  As a result, since January 2005, Association members’ base salaries increased between 4.5% and 11.2%, depending upon rank.  In January 2006, 2007 and 2008, each classification will receive additional salary increases to be derived from a market-based survey of ten agencies, including many of the top-paid in Los Angeles and Orange counties. 

In addition, effective July 2006, the parties agreed to discontinue a “professional development pay” program that only 12 individuals received 5%, in return for a POST Certificate pay that all members are eligible to receive.  The POST Certificate program initially pays 3% for an Intermediate POST certificate or 5% for an Advanced POST certificate.  Effective July 2007, those amounts will increase to 5% and 10%, respectively.  Over the 3 years of the contract, the City’s cafeteria medical insurance contributions for all employees will increase from $600 to $700, which means that employees who spend less than that amount on their city-provided insurance can pocket the difference in cash.  For employees with families, in addition to these cafeteria contribution, the City will pay up to a total of  $800 in January 2007 and $850 in January 2008 towards the cost of their health insurance programs.

The POA also negotiated for a 3% shift-differential for its non-sworn classifications effective retroactive to February 2005 and a $500 per year EMD bonus for dispatchers, effective July 2006.  In a rare move, the POA secured an agreement from the City during the negotiations process to increase the sworn compliment of full time police officers by two and to staff those positions as soon a possible.

The Association, which was represented by its President, Chris Haddad, negotiations team members Dean Fleig, Shannon Buckels, Brian Parker, Suzette Young, Cheryl Baildy and Dale Mullins, and its labor attorney, Robert. M. Wexler of Silver, Hadden & Silver, endorsed the agreement with near unanimous support.  The POA greatly appreciated the support of City Council and the efforts of Assistant City Manager Terry Matz and his knowledgeable team, which spent many hours with the POA jointly reviewing the City’s financial forecast and exploring each side’s short and long-term interests.  Through this collective process, the parties’ relationship was enhanced and a negotiated agreement was reached.