After 12 bargaining sessions, the City has reached a tentative agreement on a new labor contract with the 37 sworn police officers represented by the Menlo Park Police Officers Association (POA). The new contract expires June 30, 2017, and includes the following key changes in compensation and benefits for employees represented by POA:

• A zero pay rate increase in year one. Year two, effective July 1, 2016, the pay rates shall be increased in an amount to the increase in the Consumer Pricing Index (CPI) for the San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose MSA, measured for the period from February 2015 to February 2016. The increase is capped at 3%.
• Increase in City contribution to health benefits in year one to the same level as the Police Sergeant’s Association (PSA).
• Vision insurance coverage effective January 1, 2017.
• Detective standby schedule extended to one week periods and compensation increased to six hours of straight pay for each week of on-call status. The increase will provide detective coverage 365 days per year vs. 260 day per year.
• Patrol work schedule will revert back to a 2184 hour a year from a 2080 hour a year schedule. This change results in effectively having another officer available to the community without increasing headcount.
• Modification of CalPERS to provide the current 3% additional City contribution will be classified as a member contribution.

Pursuant to City Council policy regarding public input and outreach pertaining to labor negotiations, the staff report is being released 15 days in advance of the regular City Council meeting agenda packet. Full details of the proposed contract between the City and POA employees is now available on the City’s website. The City Council will consider the new contract as a regular business item at its meeting Jan. 26, 2016, at 7 p.m.