City unions are on their way back to the negotiating table with the City Administration, after reaching a compromise on how to approach Measure B. In a public announcement from the San Jose Police Officers Association, the union states:
“In response to our pleas we received the attached letter from Mayor Liccardo that details a clear new direction from the City Council that confirms its agreement with the POA on the process for settlement discussions. Most importantly, it publicly states that any agreement reached to make pension cost savings would replace Measure B, utilizing the PERB/quo warranto process.”
Two days ago, Mayor Liccardo sent the letter to the leaders of 11 city unions “in the hope of finding common ground to begin the settlement discussions.”
The letter goes on to say:
“First, the Mayor and the Council are committed to resolving outstanding issues relating to pensions, disability, and other elements of Measure B this year, as part of a “global settlement” in 2015.”
It’s a positive development that the majority of the San Jose City Council and Mayor Liccardo are getting back to the negotiating table with city workers. It’s clear that negotiating pension reform this year is in the best interest of San Jose residents.
But the hard part is still ahead: actually negotiating the best way to get pension costs under control.
According to the POA’s statement:
“…the POA has received no terms, proposals or offers from the City. We will not know the City’s position on the outstanding issues until we have our initial discussions. But we should all recognize that the City Council’s willingness to depart from the failures of Measure B was a big step in the right direction and we are eager to begin settlement discussions and fully committed to their success.
Stay tuned.
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