Spokane City Council sends letter to the Mayor outlining goals for contract negotiation with Police Guild.
Lori Kinnear, City Council Member, District 2, 509.625.6261
Thursday, April 13, 2017 at 2:49 p.m.
The Spokane City Council at its April 10th legislative session unanimously approved a letter to Mayor Condon outlining the Council’s goals for the imminent contract negotiations with the Spokane Police Guild.
Council Member Lori Kinnear, chairperson of the Council’s Public Safety Committee, worked with individual Councilmembers to develop the list of priorities. “This letter addresses items we are asking the administration to include in the bargaining process with the Police Guild. It is an effective way to provide clarity from seven Councilmembers to the Mayor so he and the Guild can proceed with contract negotiations knowing our interests.
Many of the items outlined in the letter refer to duties and expectations of the Office of Police Ombudsman “The people voted for effective and independent civilian oversight of our police department and much of that must be collectively bargained,” says Council Member Breean Beggs.
Council President Ben Stuckart notes that the Council is sending a letter to the Mayor about the Council’s goals for the next Guild agreement, in part, “to avoid a replay of December 2013, when the City Council unanimously rejected a contract the Mayor negotiated which contained no enhancements to police oversight. We are simply asking the Mayor to negotiate an agreement which implements Proposition 1.”
The Council’s letter, which suggests other items to be discussed such as overtime, paves the way for the Mayor’s negotiation team to begin its negotiations with the Guild. When the Mayor completes negotiations, the resulting agreement will be presented to the City Council for its consideration and possible approval.
