World-Herald editorial: There’s much still to decide on police contract

The Omaha City Council has taken the unusual step of recommending a set of amendments to the proposed police contract, and the council members have ample reason to do so.

No one should have any doubt about the magnitude of public demand on this issue. That demand for further action is powerful, dramatic and undeniable.

The council’s decision to take this step was, after all, unanimous — unanimity that no doubt reflects how keenly the council members are aware of Omahans’ desire for further contributions by members of the police union.

“We heard what the public was saying,” said Council President Garry Gernandt, himself a retired police officer.

The council’s proposals arise from legitimate concerns and cover a range of tangents including pension contributions and the calculation of pensions.

Since contracts are by definition set through negotiation, it would be unrealistic to expect the police union to accept the council’s proposals automatically.

But members of the union should realize that if they stiff-arm this sensible effort by the council, Omaha voters’ fury over the pension issue would only escalate. Such a refusal by the union would show disrespect for taxpayers who are infuriated by the excesses of the current contract and determined that city leaders should press the union for contributions beyond those presently proposed.

The union leadership has indicated that renewed negotiations will be conducted in good faith, and that indeed needs to be the case. The City Council has put forward a reasonable, unanimous request, and productive bargaining is now needed to respond to it. Omahans are making clear that they expect no less.

« Columns

Share