VENTURA : Council Expected to OK Police Contract

After working since November without a contract, Ventura police officers have ratified a proposed two-year agreement expected to be approved tonight by the City Council.

The council vote comes four months after contract negotiations between the city and the Ventura Police Officers’ Assn. reached an impasse and a state mediator was called in.

“We’re happy we reached agreement,” city personnel officer Steve Dunn said.

Cpl. William Dzuro, president of the officers association, said he also was pleased to end the impasse.

The proposed contract includes a 2% raise in January, 1994, and the city has agreed to pay an extra $25 to employees’ insurance benefits in 1994.

Talks between the city and the police union stalled over a salary dispute. The police union represents about 115 of the department’s 121 officers.

Union officials were asking for salary increases, but city officials had maintained there was not enough money to fund raises.

To draw attention to their concerns, eight patrol officers staged a sickout during an afternoon shift last month and officers have packed several City Council meetings to address the issue.