passed ordinance

*Authorize Letter of Agreement with the Portland Police Association to expand the Retire/Rehire Program

public safety
labor
ordinance

Department: Human Resources
Introduced by: Former Mayor Ted Wheeler
Status: Passed

Impact statement

Purpose & background

This legislation will authorize a letter of agreement between the City and Portland Police Association (PPA) that provides for an additional option for rehiring of retired sworn personnel from Portland Police Bureau. The existing collective bargaining agreement allows rehiring of retirees in two ways: (1) rehire at the rank of police officer for a six-year period; and (2) rehire at the sworn member's existing rank for a two-year period. This legislation allows rehiring of retirees for a one-year period, with discretion with the Chief of Police to extend the period for two additional one-year periods, for a total possible rehire period of three years.

Financial impacts

The retire/rehire program uses existing position authority and does not add new positions. Given current staffing levels at Portland Police Bureau, which results in the need for overtime, rehiring retired sworn Bureau members will be less expensive than paying sworn members at time and a half. The Bureau intends to utilize existing and upcoming budgetary authority for this program.

Community impacts

There was no community involvement. This action is largely internal to City government processes.

▸ Full text (the legislation as adopted)

The City of Portland ordains: Section 1. The Council finds: The City and the Portland Police Association (PPA) are parties to a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) effective July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2026. The existing CBA allows rehiring of retirees in two ways: (1) rehire at the rank of police officer for a six-year period; and (2) rehire at the sworn member's existing rank for a two-year period. This legislation allows rehiring of retirees for a one-year period, with discretion with the Chief of Police to extend the period for two additional one-year periods, for a total possible rehire period of three years. The Portland Police Bureau’s (PPB) current staffing levels result in overtime needs to meet service demands. PPB is facing impactful retirements in June and November 2024 given the 27 th pay period occurring that month. This letter of agreement provides for an additional option for rehiring of retired sworn personnel from Portland Police Bureau by allowing rehiring of retirees for a one-year period, with discretion with the Chief of Police to extend the period for up to two additional one-year periods, for a total possible rehire period of three years. See Exhibit A. NOW, THEREFORE, the Council directs: Council hereby authorizes the Director of the Bureau of Human Resources to enter into a letter of agreement in a form substantially similar to Exhibit A. This ordinance is binding City policy. Section 2. The Council declares that an emergency exists to avoid undue and costly delay in providing benefits to plan participants; therefore, this Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage by the Council.

Tally

5 yea 0 nay