Oakland Community College (OCC) Campus Public Safety Officers received several considerable enhancements in their recent contract after the POLC fought for them in binding arbitration. 

The Union and Employer had agreed to a 3-year term for their new contract after their prior collective bargaining agreement expired June 30, 2024. But when talks stalled over wages, Sick Leave payouts and Compensatory Time, the POLC brought the matters before an Act 312 Panel. 

The majority of POLC proposals were awarded by the Panel Chairperson and the Act 312 Award is noteworthy in and of itself.

“It is believed that this is the first Act 312 Award issued for community college Campus Police/Public Safety Officers,” said POLC Labor Attorney Michael Akins.

The POLC sought wage increases of 5 percent annually for all 3 years for OCC Public Safety Officers. The Employer proposed a 3.5 percent increase effective in Year 1, 4 percent in Year 2, and 3.5 percent in Year 3. The Arbitration Panel Chairperson adopted the Unions’ 5 percent offer for Year 1, followed by the Employer’s wage increases of 4 percent in Year 2, and 3.5 percent in the third year of the contract. 

“That 12.5 percent increase over the life of the CBA is significantly greater than any 3-year period for the bargaining unit that anyone could recall, and significantly greater than what the Employer had originally proposed at the bargaining table,” Akins said. “Additionally, the Chair awarded retroactive wage increases back to July 1, 2024.”

The POLC sought to increase Sick Leave Payouts for unused Sick Time from 50 percent, up to a maximum of 96 hours paid, to 100 percent up to the same maximum. The Employer proposed maintaining status quo. The Arbitration Chairperson adopted the POLC’s Last Best Offer (LBO), which means members who have accumulated 12 days (at 8 hours a day), can receive the full 96 hours paid at retirement. 

The POLC’s LBO for Compensatory Time was to increase the maximum accrual from 56 hours to 80 hours. The Employer’s LBO was to maintain status quo. Through post-hearing Panel discussions, the Employer accepted the Union’s LBO, which was reflected in the Act 312 Award.

Additionally, through collective bargaining, everyone in the unit was moved to the top step of wage scale effective July 1, 2025 and the annual Boot Allowance increased from $500 to $600, beginning July 1, 2025.