Dominique Arotzarena – President, Welcome 2010!
As you can see, the OPOA has a new website that was a year in the making. Although there is some further construction needed, we will make a continual effort to upload information that will inform and benefit our members. I would like to thank our OPOA Secretary, Bryan Hubbard for his work on this website.
On this website, I, and our Vice President, Barry Donelan have a BLOG. When one has a BLOG they are inducted into the “Building Rat” hall of fame. I just want to make that clear.
In early January 2010, the Chief listened to presentations from the OPOA shift committee and Captain Ed Poulson who was tasked to come up with an alternative patrol shift plan. Both plans needed to save the department money, while maintaining efficiency. The goal of the OPOA was giving members shift options that improve morale and did not compromise officer safety. Chief Batts accepted our plan. He felt the OPOA plan was best for the membership. The chief read all of the surveys that over 800 people filled out. I have to say, my hat is off to Chief Anthony Batts for caring about the members and employees of this police department!! He took the surveys seriously.
First off, this plan may not make everyone happy and no plan ever will; but the shift committee believed it has plenty of options for people to better manage their personal lives. There will be 4-10 and 3/12-4/12. It is the best of both worlds. The shift committee worked diligently on this plan, knowing all along that the department retained the right to implement whatever shift they wanted to. The shift committee comprised of Bryan Hubbard, Barry Donelan, Sean Hall, Devin Underwood, Dwayne Sue, Jake Bassett, Dave Carman and I met weekly to come up with this schedule. There are still some tweaking needed to make patrol as efficient as possible. The final details should come out soon. As an overview, Day watch and Dog watch will be on the old 4-10. Third watch will remain on a 3-12/4-12 shift. I believe this is the best possible shift we could get based on city budget and manpower.
In the end, Chief Batts was the person that allowed the OPOA to provide input to a patrol schedule. Let me make something clear, HE DID NOT HAVE TO. The city won the right to implement any patrol shift in arbitration. The Chief has done a great job coming into a tough town with a lot of issues. The Chief has allowed me to attend his executive staff meeting on Mondays. This has never happened before. Chief Batts has given the OPOA a voice.
As of today 571 out of the 574 consenters have signed the FLSA agreement. At this time, I am unsure when the consenters will be receiving their settlements.
You should be receiving your 120 plus hours of vacation on your next check. The OPOA has filed a grievance with the city over holiday pay on vacation. For example, if you are on vacation and Christmas falls on a vacation day, the city has been giving HTA. This means no extra money, just time. This was never negotiated away; not sure why they are doing this. But a grievance has been filed.
With 2009 behind us, my rookie President year, my goal for 2010 is to be more active in lineups and discussions. Because of all that went on last year, I believe that I have lost touch with the solders out there. There are several lineups and I will try to make them as frequently as possible. If you need me to come to a lineup to speak on any outstanding issues, feel free to email me at arotzarena@opoa.org.
The best way for me to serve this membership is by hearing from you. I hear about issues daily and deal with them accordingly. You can contact me 24-7. Please leave a message or call me at the OPOA.
Dom Arotzarena
