Politics & Government
Village Responds to Alleged Contract Breach With Police Union
The Menomonee Falls police union claims the village violated its collective bargaining agreement by switching health care plans. The village claims state law prohibited them from bargaining for those changes.
The Village of Menomonee Falls filed its response to allegations that leaders violated the terms of a collective bargaining agreement with the police officer’s union.
The Menomonee Falls Police Association Local 313 claims the village violated the terms of the its 2011-12 collective bargaining agreement by approving changes to health care plans for its members. The village claims state law prohibits the two parties from bargaining for health care benefits starting in 2013.
The Village Board approved its 2013 budget Nov. 19. As part of the budget, the village switched MFPA member’s health care provider to Humana. The MFPA alleges the village failed to give members 60 days notice before changing health care plans, which was part of the 2011-12 agreement. Additionally, the agreement also states benefits and coverage levels must be greater than or equal to 2007-08 benefit levels.
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The MFPA filed a suit against the village in December with the Waukesha County Circuit Court.
However, the village claims laws passed within Wisconsin Act 32, or the state budget bill, prohibit the village from negotiating the design and selection of health care coverage plans with the MFPA starting Jan. 1, 2013.
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An attorney with Buelow, Vetter, Buikema, Olson & Vilet, LLC filed the village’s response with the court Tuesday.
The village also alleges the MFPA raised this same complaint with the Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission on Nov. 15. A hearing before the WERC is scheduled for Thursday. WERC helps reach peaceful resolutions in public and private employment.
The village further claims plaintiffs are only allowed one forum for addressing their complaint. Lastly, the village believes the MFPA fails to demonstrate substantial damage that would result from the alleged breach of agreement.
In December, an attorney representing the MFPA filed an injunction to prevent MFPA members from paying the higher rates for Humana starting in 2013. However, a judge declined that request.
The two parties are not set to meet in the Waukesha County Circuit Court until Jan. 28 for a scheduling hearing.
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