Contract Negotiations

These notes are from the meeting between the Memphis Police Association (MPA) and the City of Memphis held on 2/21/08 at the Memphis Public Library (Central location). The meeting was scheduled to begin at 1000hrs.The following observations were made.

• The meeting began at 1005hrs. City of Memphis Chief Negotiator, Robert Myers, advised that he and his team needed to caucus. Meeting resumed at 1026hrs.
• Robert Myers introduced the members of the City’s team to include: Chief Tusant, Insp. Boyd, Maj. G. Williams, and Angela Williams.
• CN Myers advised that there were two (2) items on today’s agenda needing to be addressed: 1. Ground rules and 2. Information requests
• CN Myers stated that these labor negotiations are open to the public and that while the City acknowledges Gene Hulley as a private citizen and as a member of the MPA, by no means does that infer that the City recognizes him as the president of the Association. Therefore, it is the City’s opinion that Lt. Hulley should not participate in these negotiations. CN Myers went on to say that Lt. Hulley would be allowed to observe, but would not be able to share ideas and caucus with the MPA’s team in person, by phone, or email.
• CN Godwin acknowledged the City’s team and responds to the request by asking for clarity regarding Lt. Hulley’s presence- Is he being given a direct order not to caucus or otherwise participate in contract negotiations? She also states that the association has a right to private conversations with Lt. Hulley regarding Association matters, and that it is none of the City’s business what is discussed.
• CN Myers requests a caucus at 1036hrs.
• Meeting resumes at 1114hrs.
• CN Myers advised that the City will maintain its earlier position regarding this issue, and that as management; Lt. Hulley is not to participate in contract negotiations and has been given the direct order in the past. His conduct will determine if he is to be charged.
• CN Godwin again asked for clarity as to what direct order was given and on what levels could Lt. Hulley participate. She also asked for the policy stating that he could not participate. She expressed that this was not the proper forum for this apparent power struggle.
• CN Myers stated that all policies are not written, and that it is the City’s stance that Lt. Hulley is not to participate in contract negotiations.
• CN Godwin advised that the MPA had nothing else to discuss and that the meeting was adjourned. Before adjourning, CN Godwin wanted to formally introduce herself and the MPA’s negotiating team whose members consist of: Michael Williams, Archie Rudd, Rick Melton, Daniel Miller, Essica Littlejohn, Veronica Carson, and Thomas Parker (Stuart Frisch was not present). She expressed the MPA’s dissatisfaction with the administration’s blatant disrespect of the membership.
• The meeting was adjourned at 1124hrs.