Town, police union struggle with contract

Police union leaders in New Milford fear the inability of the town and union to settle a contract that is now more than 18 months overdue is hurting morale and may result in losing veteran officers to other departments.

In February, the town and union are expected to have a final arbitration hearing. If no settlement is reached by that time, the three-member arbitration panel will decide a contract based on the last, best offers.

"They (officers) feel betrayed,'' said investigator Henry Marino, president of the COPS Local 47 union, which represents 46 officers. The union does not include the ranks of lieutenant, captain, deputy chief and chief.

This small department of officers, many of them local taxpayers, is not unsympathetic to the town's economic realities, Det. Marino said.

Yet they believe the demands and stresses that have quadrupled in the last two decades warrant a salary and benefits package that reflects that reality, he said.

"We need to progress a little bit,'' Detective Marino said.

In the past 18 months, the two sides have struggled to find common ground. Mayor Pat Murphy negotiated the prior two contracts without lawyers.

Times have since changed.

Not only was the economy more robust before, but the union changed its representation to one with a more strident negotiation strategy, Ms. Murphy said.

That prompted her and the Town Council to opt for legal representation. Attorney Catherine Thompson represents the town, and John Walsh represents the union.

To date, the town has spent some $62,000 in legal fees, and another $7,000 for an arbitrator, Detective Marino noted.

He and his fellow union leaders said this week they are disappointed their recent overtures to the mayor concerning the contract have been rebuffed.

Arbitration does not prohibit continued negotiations between the parties.

Ms. Murphy said she is simply following the rules. She advised the union to give a written offer to the attorneys for review. She thinks the town has already made a "fair and equitable'' offer.

"My job is to represent the people of New Milford... none of this is personal,'' Ms. Murphy said, noting a final contract needs to reflect "what the public can bear.''

"I have the upmost respect for our uniformed forces at all levels,'' said the mayor. "But I also have to think of the costs, not only for today but going into the future.