MPA PRESS STATEMENT
February 21, 2008

The first negotiation session between the Memphis Police Association and the City Administration took place today.  The MPA Bargaining Committee had every intention to negotiate in good faith concerning the vital issues that face our membership and the community such as the high crime rate, police recruitment and retention, the low level of morale on the police department, the lack of raises and promotions.
 
Edmund Ford, Jr., Memphis City Councilman introduced a resolution just this Tuesday encouraging good faith in collective bargaining amongst the City of Memphis Divisions and the bargaining units, which serve the City. 

Rather than addressing these important bargaining issues, the City chose to start the meeting by threatening to take disciplinary action against the duly elected Memphis Police Association President if he stayed in the room during this public meeting that was taking place in the public library, even though he was not part of the negotiation team.  We believe this to be a clear violation of the first amendment of the United States Constitution.  Our police officers have taken an oath to uphold the laws of the land and we ask this administration to do the same.

We believe the Mayor sent a message to engage in negotiations towards reaching a reasonable salary increase. At this time and we urge the police administration to reconsider its position and to get past this petty power struggle and commence with negotiations.

Let us not forget, Memphis is considered one of the most violent cities per capita.  Our members are the first line of defense.  We are the ones who take great risks on a daily basis and we deserve to be heard on the real issues.