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Saturday, July 26, 2008

Cops Unhappy With Offer

By Martin Salazar
Journal Staff Writer
       The University of New Mexico and its police union are at an impasse in salary negotiations, and the union is going public with concerns about what it's calling inadequate staffing.
    "Either they don't really understand the importance of having a fully manned police department that's well-paid and well-equipped, or they don't care," said Rudy Vigil, a contract negotiator for UNM police.
    Not so, said UNM spokeswoman Susan McKinsey.
    "We highly value our police officers, and we're in mediation now," McKinsey said. "There's a proposal on the table. (We're) bargaining in good faith, and we're really hopeful for a positive resolution."
    The two sides are feuding over pay raises officers should receive this fiscal year, which began July 1. Vigil said negotiations had stalled, but on Thursday UNM made a proposal, though neither side will disclose the details.
    "It's not good enough," Vigil said Thursday.
    Earlier in the week, he said the university had offered 2 percent raises — the amount approved in this year's state budget. The union, he said, is holding out for 5 percent raises, saying UNM is losing ground to area police departments.
    The union contends that 5 percent raises would only cost around $30,000.
    "You can't tell me that a university this size doesn't have $30,000 a year ... to give these officers somewhat of a decent raise ..." Vigil said, noting that UNM has given raises of $30,000 or more to single individuals in the past.
    Beginning pay for certified police officers at UNM now stands at $20.31 an hour.
    The city of Albuquerque this year approved a 47 percent raise for entry-level officers over the next three years. Those with less than four years' experience now make $23.15 an hour, though in 2010 that will jump to $28 an hour.
    Entry-level Bernalillo County sheriff's deputies are paid a beginning salary of $19.17, though beginning pay for experienced deputies is $23.13.
    UNM police Chief Kathy Guimond declined to address the union's complaints.
    UNM spokeswoman Karen Wentworth said four dispatcher positions and an officer position were recently added to the department's budget.
    UNM has four officer vacancies, Wentworth said.
    Less than a month into the current fiscal year, two sergeants and an officer have already notified UNM that they are leaving.
    "Morale is pretty bad," said Patricia D'Arcy, president of the UNM Police Officers Association.
    The department has 36 sworn positions, ranging from chief to patrol. Vigil said that in the last two years, UNM police has lost 21 people.
    Vigil said he thinks UNM police is top heavy, with seven people with the rank of lieutenant and above. UNM has a police chief, two commanders and four lieutenants. Guimond is also looking to hire a deputy chief, though that search has been suspended until the officer positions have been filled.