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WHY WON'T THE CITY NEGOTIATE? To The Sentinel: On behalf of everyone who contacted us, expressing their support in our efforts to get Keene's city administration to begin contract negotiations with us, we thank you. Unfortunately, we are no further ahead than we were before. Our last communication with the city was July 29, when we offered this counterproposal: "... Regarding ground rules for (Keene Police Officer's Association, or KPOA) negotiations: ... I know that we are both anxious to begin the real work of negotiating; however, it is the goal of the KPOA to assure that the process is documented in the most accurate fashion possible. "I trust that our position has been made clear regarding tape-recording. It is not the intent of the KPOA to have those tapes used until and unless the parties have a dispute, which is processed either through the grievance procedure or a (N.H. Public Employees Labor Relations Board) proceeding. This is a very limited use of these recordings. ..." "I would like to note for the record that it has been the practice of the city manager to tape-record KPOA grievance hearings at the city manager's level, which seems to fly in the face of the concerns being expressed by the city now. As you know, it is important for positive labor-management relations for the grievance procedure to be utilized in a fashion to resolve disputes at the lowest possible level. Is it the position of the city that there cannot be frank discussions during the grievance proceedings because the city manager tape-records the hearings at his level? (Please note that the KPOA has never objected to the tape recordings.) ... It seems to us that the current position of the city to refuse any and all tape recordings of the actual negotiations sessions contradicts its current practice. ... "As with any ground rules, the parties can mutually agree to waive them, which could even be the case with the use of tape recordings if the city feels (as has been stated in the newspaper) that they are not able to have a frank discussion regarding a certain topic with the tape recorder on. ... We remain open to considering any proposal by the city that provides an accurate record of negotiations." We believe our proposal is fair to both sides. As police officers, we deal with formal processes on a daily basis. The proposal that we offered the city for negotiations is similar to the way a court trial is conducted. ... "However, what is very disheartening is that, as of Aug. 18, we have not received a response from the city regarding our last proposal. It's unfortunate, but not unexpected, that we have not heard anything back from the city regarding our counterproposal. ... Back in December 2003, we had to file an unfair labor practice due to an issue with our health insurance. Our numerous attempts to contact the city administration through its labor attorney to decide on an arbitrator was met with the same protracted process, causing unnecessary delays on an issue of great importance. As a result, we were forced to ask the labor board to decide on an arbitrator because we had not heard back from the city. Based on the city's behavior, it's apparent to us that the city is playing hardball. There is a serious problem in this city regarding respect for employees, and resultant low morale. Right now, we are understaffed at the police department, and combining contract disputes before we even sit down to exchange proposals is not productive by any sense of the word. If we as a bargaining unit conducted ourselves with the public like the city administration conducts business with the police union; it would be unprofessional, unacceptable and inexcusable. There is something to be said about the confidence level we have in the city administration that so mishandles the negotiation process when we feel the only recourse is to appeal directly to the public. The last face-to-face meeting between the police union and the city was June 8. We provided the city with a response to its proposal in a timely manner; it's common courtesy and respect that we get the same treatment. The negotiations process between the city administration and the police union has been historically contentious and has often extended beyond contract expiration dates, but has never been stalled in the discussions about ground rules. Our last contract went eight months beyond the expiration of the contract. As a result, the idea of conducting this year's negotiations in an open forum, rather than behind closed doors, is become more and more likely. The entire process of negotiating a contract with the city administration needs to be revamped to provide for full accountability by both parties. Again, we would like to thank those citizens who stand united with us and understand that all we want to do is sit down with the city and negotiate a new contract. JOHN STEWART
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