OPOA - President's Message

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Bob Valladon PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

There’s a lot going on at all fronts, but that’s usual for Oakland. It’s tough to keep things steady and in order when constantly there’s another surprise. Every day it seems we have to adjust to something new from the City or the Chief’s Office, and nothing seems to be part of a plan. It’s like many times a bug gets in someone’s ear and it just has to get swatted.

Here at the OPOA we get it from all sides, but we give it right back.

Donning and Doffing lawsuit continues. I’d like to thank everyone for returning the “depositions” in a timely manner. Many of you didn’t know that we had a deadline of 15Aug08. We did a great job and the effort from everyone was appreciated. This lawsuit is going forwarded and I will update you on any developments.
12 hour shift discussions are continuing. We have met with Deputy Chief Kozicki and we are trying to make this system work better for all. There’s a well-written article in the August PORAC magazine concerning sleep disorders. Find time to read it. It’s worth it. Any changes will not be implemented until the 2009 draw. Please give us your input.
Budget-The City of Oakland will soon be announcing a $50 million dollar deficit here in our City. It started out being $15 million, so it might get a lot worse. How will this affect the OPOA is an unknown. The Department will definitely be told to save a few million. I am unaware of how the Chief will decide where to cut. With Measure Y out there and crime in the headlines, I don’t see police officers being cut. I’m still trying to figure out why they cashed us down to 300 hours if they are so broke. This place truly amazes me sometimes. Well, sort of…..
Sick leave bank/conversion due in our new contract is still being discussed. The City/Department has agreed that whatever we agree to, it will be retroactive back to 1Jul08. This means that any hours over 480 will be used/cashed/credited or something retroactive back to 1Jul08.
Vacation Credit-Don’t forget that beginning January 2009, we will be credited with vacation at a monthly rate, which is totally different than it has been going back at least 50 years. Why the City wanted this change is still a question mark. They really never had an argument of “why” except to say that’s how the other unions are credited. Whatever!!!!!!! Wait until the draw and the least senior officers won’t be able to draw January, February or March vacations due to the new structure. What a great idea this was……

I just want to say personally how proud I am of everyone. Oakland’s crime and our workload have increased as in no other major city in the past few years. Our people are urged to be aggressive, but we’re under the heat of a finely focused magnifying glass looking for the smallest infraction. We complied with an order to go to 12-hour shifts and did it when they didn’t have a plan. They called it a “work in progress.” Our morale has been severely challenged, but our esprit is high because it means something special to be an Oakland cop.

OPOA Office:
555 5th St., Oakland, CA 94607
Ph. 510/834-9670 Fax 510/834-0462