Culver City : Police Bargaining to Resume

The City Council on Monday voted to reopen bargaining talks with the city’s police officers, who have threatened work slowdowns if their benefits are not improved.

“We wish to go over all events that led up to the (impasse) and we anticipate going into further (bargaining) discussions,” Mayor Jozelle Smith said.

About 30 police officers picketed last week’s council meeting, saying they felt unappreciated for the work they have done to cut the city’s crime rate. They asked the council for a supplemental retirement fund into which officers could contribute some of their pay and have it matched by the city.

Salary increases, which are tied by city ordinance to those given in the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, are not part of the talks.

The city still opposes the deferred compensation plan but is willing to discuss other benefits, Smith said, adding that a meeting with the police officers will be scheduled for next week.

Sgt. Hank Davies, president of the 83-member Culver City Police Officers Assn., said he is pleased with the council’s decision to renew negotiations and is optimistic that a settlement will be reached.