Calif. Police Union Sues City Over Pensions

Attorneys for the San Jose Police Officers' Association on Monday elaborated on two lawsuits they filed against the city of San Jose, including one that seeks to force the city back to the bargaining table and another that alleges the city violated the union's contract by trying to change retirement benefits through an election rather than arbitration.

Filed late Friday in Santa Clara County Superior Court, the first lawsuit says the city failed to adequately "meet-and-confer" before the City Council voted to push a pension reform ballot measure forward, first on Dec. 6 and then when finalizing it on March 6, reports the Silicon Valley Mercury News .

It also says that the impasse declared by the city last fall was broken by new proposals from both the police and firefighter unions and the city, and by the city's changing financial situation. In particular, the unions cite the improved projections given in early December, and the more recent news that there will be no budget deficit in the upcoming fiscal year. The union says that should have prompted renewed discussions.