Unable to reach a deal with city negotiators, the union representing Stockton’s police officers and sergeants is opting to try out its newfound ability to seek binding arbitration. The union is aiming to secure a new contract after five months of working without one.
The Stockton Police Officers’ Association’s president, Patrick High, said in a social media post that talks are at an impasse and the city has rejected the union’s final offer. So officers plan to leave it to a three-member independent panel to come up with a new contract.
High said the city’s inability to compromise “leaves us with no choice but to declare an impasse and proceed to arbitration, as provided under the Measure N amendment to the City Charter.”…