Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Local officers aren't interested in being promoted to lieutenant due to issues in the police department, according to the local union president.
Anne Arundel County is looking outside its own police department to find new lieutenants because local, qualified officers won’t apply for the positions, according to the International Brotherhood of Police Officers (IBPO). National union President David J. Holway declared the “open job posting” a sign that the Anne Arundel County police department’s leadership has failed. “Current Anne Arundel officers don’t want the promotion because they know it will bring them a step closer to the failed leadership that has broken their department,” Holway said. “It’s shameful that the county’s leaders have to advertise elsewhere to bring in superior officers who don’t know the extent of the dysfunction and leadership failure.” O’Brien Atkinson, the …
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
After a failed attempt to override County Executive Leopold's line-item veto of three amendments to the recently-passed binding arbitration bill, union leaders say a court battle is now imminent.
On a night when comprehensive rezoning legislation was the County Council's primary agenda item, the council quietly failed to override County Executive John R. Leopold's line item veto of three amendments to the binding arbitration bill passed two weeks ago. At the council's March 7 meeting, Councilman Jerry Walker (R-7th District) of Gambrills, introduced a series of amendments aimed at bringing the three reluctant Democrats on board with Bill 4-11, which significantly alters the contract negotiation process between public sector employees and the county. The amendments helped secure a bipartisan vote of 7-0. However, just two days later, County Executive Leopold announced that he would strike the amendments using his line-item veto …
Friday, March 11, 2011
County Executive Leopold strikes three amendments to Bill 4-11 that were passed at Monday night's County Council meeting.
In an attempt to return Bill 4-11 to its original form, County Executive John R. Leopold has issued a veto memorandum striking two amendments that were critical to securing bi-partisan support for the legislation. In a veto memorandum sent out to the County Council late Wednesday afternoon, Leopold informed council members of his intention to veto the two important amendments passed at Monday's council meeting, as well as a third housekeeping amendment. In an effort to find compromise on Monday night, Councilman Jerry Walker (R-7th District) of Gambrills introduced two key amendments, which he said put questions of the bill's legality to rest. "We are obligated to follow the charter, and this amendment will put this bill in harmony with …
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
After approving two critical amendments, the council unanimously approved a bill that will alter the process of binding arbitration between public sector employees and the county.
ANNAPOLIS—On a night when droves of police officers and firefighters once again voiced their opposition to Bill 4-11, the County Council decided to pass it. The bill, which significantly alters the arbitration process between public sector employees and the county, passed unanimously after being altered in an effort to carve out a compromise among council members. Currently public sector employees, such as police officers and firefighters, have the right to enter binding arbitration with the county when labor disputes reach an impasse. The independent arbitrator's decision is then legally binding on both parties. Ultimately, the bill passed after Councilman Jerry Walker (R-7th District) of Gambrills introduced two amendments that were …
Monday, March 7, 2011
Republican Councilman Walker says bill will pass; Union says it would take county to court.
Anne Arundel County is embroiled in a dispute between public sector employees and county legislators. A bill before the County Council could drastically change the balance of power in labor disputes between unions and the county. The legislation, Bill 4-11, would give the County Council the final say in disputes between public sector unions and the county. Currently, an independent arbitrator mediates negotiations that reach an impasse. At the last contentious and lengthy council meeting, more than 60 police officers, firefighters, and first-responders testified against the bill. Prior to that meeting, some thought the legislation was poised to pass. Councilman Jerry Walker of Gambrills (R-District 7) introduced an amendment that garnered …
Friday, February 25, 2011
Police and fire unions feel under attack as council considers new legislation.
This week, the county council heard public testimony on proposed legislation, sponsored by Council Chairman Dick Ladd (R-5th District) at the request of County Executive John R. Leopold, that would give the council the last say in benefit disputes with public sector employees. Councilman John Grasso (R-2nd District) of Glen Burnie supports the bill. Currently, public sector unions have binding arbitration in benefit disputes with the county, meaning whatever an independent arbitrator decides is final. This was put into place in 2002 when roughly 80 percent of county voters approved a charter amendment to give public sector workers binding arbitration. The 2002 referendum was something that a number of the police officers and firefighters …
Lisa White O'Briant
3:45 pm on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Am I the only one concerned that the department responsible for our safety is being called 'dysfunctional'?! more ›