Mayor, City Council Speak Out Against SB 5

It’s drawn criticism from teachers, firefighters and police officers.

Now the Lakewood administration is taking aim at — the state measure passed this spring that sharply curtails the collective bargaining rights of public employees. 

Statewide, opponents of the bill are actively gathering signatures for a voter referendum in November, and all evidence indicates that they will be successful.

On Monday, Mayor Michael Summers presented a letter to city council that criticizes the bill. He asked that city council join him in publicly stating the city’s position.

“While the city of Lakewood does not have a direct say in the outcome it is nonetheless an important matter meriting our consideration,” according to the statement, signed by both Summers and Ward 1 Councilman Tom Bullock.

Council didn’t vote on the resolution, but rather referred it to committee of the whole for further discussion.

One argument in favor of SB 5 is that it will save the taxpayers money. Partly this is because of some specific provisions in the bill – for example require state employees to pay more for retirement.  Partly this is because of projected savings that result from public employers dictating terms rather than negotiating the terms with public employees.  

Opponents of SB 5 respond in part that it is unfair to deprive state employees of the right to negotiate the terms of their employment. 

Summers said that Lakewood has “experienced the existing binding arbitration rules to the satisfaction of all parties.” In other words, thanks, but no thanks.

“SB 5 is a sledgehammer, intended to swat a fly,” he said following the meeting. “We can adequately represent the city’s position and effectively negotiate at the bargaining table under current rules.”

He said the “most atrocious” portion of the bill is that the bargaining will be delegated to a governing body — in Lakewood’s case it would be city council — rather than a professional arbitrator.

“I think it would be an awful place to make important decisions,” Summers said. “You can imagine how city council races would become highly politicized by one party or the other — on one issue, which is a union issue.”

He said he believes that there are opportunities to improve collective bargaining, but added that SB 5 goes too far.

“There must be a lot of cities with lousy agreements,” he said. “Somewhere, this must be a big deal. But it’s not Lakewood.”