Citizens' group targets arbitration

Times-Herald staff report

Article Launched: 04/24/2008 06:51:00 AM PDT

A group of Vallejoans launched a campaign Wednesday to strip the city charter of a controversial collective bargaining provision they say has contributed to the fiscal crisis.

Nearly 20 citizens gathered in front of City Hall to announce the start of a petition drive to collect enough signatures to put the removal of binding arbitration on the November ballot.

The group, calling itself Citizens to Remove Binding Arbitration, maintains binding arbitration removes local control and fiscal accountability. Many members support Stephanie Gomes and Joanne Schivley, two City Council members opposed to the charter provision.

Gomes and Schivley attended the news conference, but didn't participate in it.

Some 6,933 valid signatures of registered voters must be collected by June 2, for the initiative to get onto the November ballot. Voters would need to give it a simple majority for passage.

Proponents say they will be at the Farmer's Market on Saturday mornings on Georgia Street, at the Vallejo Ferry building, in front of supermarkets and other areas to collect signatures.

Vallejo attorney Jim Libien said only 22 of 500 California cities still have binding arbitration, which he called an "an anachronistic form of dispute resolution."

Vallejo has had binding arbitration since 1969, when voters approved it, following a police and fire strike. Such strikes are now illegal.

Under the city charter, once a labor dispute reaches arbitration, a third party representative hears both sides' arguments and selects only one side's position. There is no ability to appeal.

Officials said Vallejo's general fund worsened when an arbitrator last year ruled the city could not make $4 million in fire department staffing cuts.

Libien said he believes binding arbitration favors labor unions and is opposed by the League of California Cities.

Vallejo public safety union attorney Alan Davis said he and his clients have no comment on the petition at this time.

The city is faced with a $9 million deficit. Tuesday was to be the final date for the city to reach an agreement on more concessions from police and fire unions to keep Vallejo from being the first city of its kind to declare bankruptcy.

Options, including bankruptcy, come back for possible council consideration May 6.

During the news conference, proponents held signs reading "Retain Local Control," "We Need A Future For Our City" and "Fiscal Accountability."

Gomes said binding arbitration contributes to the city's current financial mess. Previous councils made decisions they shouldn't have made under the threat of binding arbitration, she said.

Binding arbitration can be a costly process and previous councils may have opted to settle rather than pursue that course, Gomes added.

Schivley said her only comment would be, "The people are speaking."

Those wanting to learn more about the Citizens to Remove Binding Arbitration campaign can go to CitizensForVallejo.org.