During contract negotiations, rumors tend to get out of control. Local media outlets have even heard some of these rumors and have called the PLEA Office for verification. Kind of funny, kind of not, I guess, but this is how it seems to be every negotiation cycle. We have not heard of any new rumors beyond the ones already addressed in a membership update video, but if you happen to hear anything that sounds questionable, please do not hesitate to call the office so we can clear things up. As of this writing (in the first week of February), we have yet to reach the financial portion of contract proposals. Your PLEA Negotiation Team is working diligently with the City’s negotiators to find common benefit within proposals from both sides, and we are having some success. Sometime in March, PLEA Chief Negotiator Darrell Kriplean will be able to provide more information to the membership regarding the City’s proposals, and he will also schedule the contract ratification meetings, where we can discuss the proposed contract.
Your PLEA Negotiation Team is working diligently with the City’s negotiators to find common benefit within proposals from both sides.
The legislative session is also underway at the Arizona State Capitol. The Arizona Police Association (APA) is working hard to ensure that PLEA members continue to have a strong Peace Officer Bill of Rights and that legislators understand the needs of law enforcement professionals in Arizona. APA Executive Director Joe Clure keeps the APA membership aware of the legislative proceedings while bringing attention to the bills that may or may not benefit or affect law enforcement and public safety.
PLEA will be taking part in discussion of new federal legislation for law enforcement, and I will keep the membership updated as to how the laws will affect us.
Finally, I want to say farewell to PLEA Secretary Franklin Marino. Frank retires at the end of March. During his police career, Frank has served PLEA members for more than 20 years as a PLEA representative and Executive Board member. We will miss the institutional knowledge Frank has, and his uncanny ability to remember everything since 1963. We wish Frank and Dena the best in their retirement.