The first round of collective bargaining talks between Orange County and the Sheriff’ Office Employees Association was deemed a success by both sides Wednesday. The two parties met for about three hours in the Commissioners Courtroom.
The union did not have a written proposal to offer the county. Union attorney Greg Cagle said the main negotiation points for the Sheriff’s Office employees are a provision in the contract providing job protection for the deputies and a continuation clause in the collective bargaining agreement.
These have been the sticking points for collective bargaining talks the last four years. Sheriff Keith Merritt stated he cannot do his job as sheriff with such a “just cause” clause in the contract which would prevent him from dismissing deputies when he needs to from the department. Merritt added any such provision would also not restrict the next sheriff from firing deputies when that person takes office in less than four years since Merritt is currently serving his final term as sheriff. The current contract has a perpetuating continuation clause that has been in effect for the last four years since the contract expired in 2013.
County Judge Brint Carlton presented the union representatives with a 12-point offer that included a 12-month contract with a 12-month continuation or evergreen clause that would extend the contract for an extra year after the initial year if a new contract is not reached. The 12 points are as follows:
- Duration: 12 months with 12-month evergreen clause
- Negotiation for new contract: The Commissioners Court and the Sheriff’s Office Employees Association are required to negotiate and attend mediation to reach a new contract
- Impasse to new contract: 5-member Citizen Panel subject to District Court appeal
- Just Cause: No “just cause” offered by Commissioners Court. Sheriff’s Office Employees Association employees still have Personnel Policy Manual protections
- Separate Contracts: Powers and duties of the Sheriff (hiring, firing, promotion, discipline, etc) are covered in a separate contract between the Union and Sheriff. County is released from 2009-2013 CBA obligations
- Certificate Pay: Drop “Intoxilyzer Operator” (4×1400), drop “LVN Assignment” but add $2,100 to salary of LVN, limit “Instructor” to maximum 15 members, limit “SWAT” to maximum 17 members, maximum of 3 certificates (X Peace Officer/X Telecommunications/X Jailer + Instructor + SWAT), no change in value of certificate pay as listed for FY 2011-2012
- Matrix Pay: No change in “Orange County Sheriff’s Office Wage and Salary Scale” between fiscal years
- COLA: Add 1.5% to “Orange County Sheriff’s Office Wage and Salary Scale” FY 2012-2013 values
- Calculation of Overtime/Holiday Pay: Change calculation of overtime/holiday pay as previously suggested by the Union
10.Maintenance of Standards: No change to uniform cleaning, take-home cars, personal item reimbursement, overtime, etc
11.Me Too: Union members will be subject to the same increase/decrease in pay and/or benefits that non-Union members receive unless otherwise determined by this contract
12.Statute References: Union member eligibility will reference applicable statutes (LGC, Occupation Code, etc)
The Sheriff’s union representatives will meet with their members early next week to discuss the county’s offer. Collective bargaining talks are scheduled to resume Wednesday, April 19, at 1:00 PM in the Commissioners Courtroom.
-Dan Perrine, KOGT-
Social Media