Union Says City Must Stop Separate But Equal Pay Policy Between Law Enforcement Agencies

LOS ANGELES, CA – The following statement is from the Los Angeles Airport Peace Officers’ Association (LAAPOA), which represents the sworn police officers and firefighters of the Los Angeles Airport Police Department assigned to protect and serve Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), LA/Ontario International Airport (ONT) and Van Nuys Airport (VNY) regarding contract negotiations:

On February 24, 2016, LAAPOA concluded its third round of contract mediations.

During the City’s economic crisis, in 2010, Airport Police stepped up to the plate and did their part by agreeing to a temporary 20 percent reduction in our starting salary to assist Los Angeles in hiring an additional 1,000 new Los Angeles Police Officers.

The City has since increased the starting salaries of both the City and Port police departments by 20 percent—back to their original starting salaries—but has still yet to reinstate the starting salaries for airport police.

We are seeking equality—plain and simple. Equal pay and benefits for equal work.

The LAXPD has some of the best-trained law enforcement officers and fire fighters who are the first line of defense in any terror related situation at three different airports in two different counties.

All funds that pay for LAXPD officers salaries and benefits only come from airport related fees. No monies comes from the City’s general fund or state or local taxes.

Our goal has always been to obtain labor equality in treatment, pay and benefits with other LA City police agencies. We believe our requests are a step in the right direction in obtaining long overdue benefits enhancements that will make our agency more competitive in attracting new and lateral officers to join the best police agency in the country.

Our proposal will now be presented to Mayor Eric Garcetti and the members of the Executive Employee Relations Committee (EERC).

We remain hopeful that Mayor Garcetti, the EERC and Los Angeles World Airports General Manager Deborah Flint will agree that Airport Police lives matter too and approve this contract proposal.