Police Union Bemoans 'Walmart Wages for Saks-Fifth-Avenue Services'

South Pasadena Officer Randy Wise, disheartened over stagnant labor negotiations between the Police Officers Association and the city, told council members Thursday night that there is no magic bubble that lies over South Pas that keeps it safer. 

It's the job of the police, and that job, he said, doesn't pay a fair wage. 

The months-long battle over the current contract ended with the council's unanimous vote to offer police officers a 2 percent salary bump, which is short of the 5 percent the POA asked for. Council members weighed in saying they're in a tough spot because, fiscally, if they pour more money into salaries and benefits, it could leave staff and officials vulnerable if something catastrophic happened within city limits.

Still, Mayor Pro Tem Marina Khubesrian acknowledged that South Pas officers are some of the lowest paid in the area and that is something that needs to be looked at in the next round of negotiations, which, potentially, could start as soon as Monday. The contract approved Thursday expires Sunday. 

The starting base salary for a South Pasadena Police officer is $4,729 per month, or $56,748, according to the POA salary schedule. The high end of an officer's base salary is $5,748. By the time you calculate education or post certification pay, specialty pay and Public Employees Retirement System contributions to that high-end officer's salary, the total compensation is $7,433.49 per month, or $89,201.88, according to the South Pas POA Total Compensation Survey 2013. 

The 2013 survey further found the average total compensation, for the top-paid officers, in surrounding San Gabriel Valley cities to be: $9,149.28. Compensation in the same category for San Marino, for example, is $8,584.52; Alhambra, $9,249.36, Sierra Madre, $8,120.79 and Arcadia, $9,542.07.

You may read background about the negotiations between the POA and the city here. 

Wise spoke on behalf of union members, and said during his career with South Pas, city council members have all said that they value and appreciate law enforcement. But the lack of a "fair and living'' wage contradicts that sentiment, he said.

"The city I dedicated myself to for the last 15 years values my commitment and sacrifice by paying me Walmart wages for Saks-Fifth-Avenue services,'' Wise said, minutes before the council voted for the 2 percent raise. 

As members of the POA filed out of council chambers, one person, to no one in particular, said, "You get what you pay for.'' 

Patch Asks: How would you like to see the impasse resolved, when the two parties return to the negotiating table (possibly as soon as next week)?

Editor's Note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly reported the base salary for a Class A officer, or beginning officer. It is $56,748. Patch apologizes for the error. 

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