Other residents have voiced strong support for the district, saying it would provide a steady supply of water, even in the driest of years. Another public hearing for residents is scheduled for 7 to 9 p.m. Aug. 19 at the Vine Street firehouse in Vacaville. Proponents say the bill would even the playing field for public safety employees, who are prohibited from striking for bargaining leverage. Not true, said Brian Moore, president of the Vacaville Firefighters Association, who claimed that the arbitration panel considers all city expenses, revenues, and duties. In his report to the council, City Manager John Thompson cited a study commissioned by the city of Anaheim to analyze the arbitration process.
Arbitration tends to move salaries and wages to a market average.
Gary Anderson, president of the 100-member Vacaville Police Officers Association, said arbitration would force cities to look at wages paid by comparable agencies. I think it's going to force a lot of councils to rethink how they negotiate. It takes it out of the hands of councils who really aren't open to fair negotiating. While salary and wage issues in arbitrations were relatively insignificant, according to the Anaheim study, the impact on general working conditions and the flexibility of chiefs to reorganize their departments was significant, potentially preventing cost-cutting measures. The particular bargaining unit can set anything they want.