Police union wins ruling against city

[Omaha Steve]

http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/display?slug=accountability25m&date=20080125

Local News: Friday, January 25, 2008

By Sara Jean Green

Seattle Times staff reporter

Seattle's police union claimed a major victory Thursday after learning a state labor examiner ruled that the city of Seattle wrongly gave a citizen review board officers' unredacted disciplinary files.

The city should have negotiated the issue with the union, the state ruled.

The ruling says the city unilaterally implemented changes by giving access to unredacted files to the citizen review board that examines closed police-discipline cases. The city's actions violated state law because officials refused to bargain with the Seattle Police Officers' Guild and therefore "interfered with employee rights."

"We are elated by the decision and hope this sends a clear message to the City Council that the way you change police officers' contract is at the bargaining table — and not by enacting ordinances," said Rich O'Neill, president of the guild, which represents 1,181 officers, sergeants and detectives.

The mayor's office is now "reviewing the decision and considering our options," said Marty McOmber, a spokesman for Mayor Greg Nickels. But earlier this month, Deputy Mayor Tim Ceis said the ruling "will be a defining moment for police accountability in terms of what has to be bargained and what is a management right."

The decision comes less than a week before an expert panel appointed by the mayor is expected to report back with recommendations for improving the police disciplinary system. It also comes in the midst of protracted contract talks between the city and guild.

FULL story at link.