MADISON, Wis.– Madison Police union’s contract isn’t up for another 13 months, but the city wants to make some changes now.
The force will face a five percent cut in next year’s operating budget. Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway called on the Madison Professional Police Officers Association to reopen its contract and renegotiate items she finds no longer realistic.
In a public message regarding tough choices on the budget, Rhodes-Conway said the previous administration approved a 3.75 percent raise for police in 2021. She said that raise is no longer affordable.
“I have been asking the police union to reopen their contract, but they have declined so far,” Rhodes-Conway said.
The union’s president, Kelly Powers, said he’s sat down for multiple meeting with the city to discuss renegotiation, but the city’s hasn’t made any reasonable offers to benefit both parties involved.
“What’s happening is that the mayor is asking us to open that contract that was bargained for in good faith,” Powers said. “We understand that the city has some needs right now, but in order for us to help facilitate that, we aren’t going to bargain against ourselves.”
In a letter addressing the mayor’s October message, Powers said the city’s demands ignore the sacrifices officers make everyday to serve the public.
“We’ve made plenty of concessions on our part over the years, particularly as it relates to this contract already,” Powers said. “We would have had an open ear here, however the approach that has been used here is kind of ridiculous.”
Powers said the union’s current contract is good through the end of 2021. Contract negotiations for 2022 and beyond will begin in May.
News 3 Now reached out to the mayor’s office for a response to the union’s letter but did not immediately hear back.
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