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164 <br /> The compulsory and binding arbitration features of the bill would have the <br /> effect of removing from elected representatives of local communities the <br /> power to make virtually all decisions regarding matters of employment of <br /> local peace and safety officers , and give that power to an individual who , <br /> by definition , would not be responsible to the electorate , nor responsive <br /> to the electorate ' s needs . Impact of such provisions is evident by <br /> reference to City ' s own budgetary concerns ; i . e . , approximately 90% of <br /> increases in this year ' s budget reflect increase in cost of employee services . <br /> League of California. Cities estimates the bill would remove the decision <br /> making authority of three -fourths of the local operating budgets from <br /> elected representatives . Furthermore , the bill is patently discriminatory <br /> in that it pertains solely to local policemen and firemen . <br /> Proponents argue that it provides protection to local peace and safety <br /> personnel because they are prohibited from striking . However , this ignores <br /> the fact that municipal employees have , in fact , engaged in strike activities <br /> throughout the State . The bill eliminates any motivation on the part of <br /> unions representing peace and safety personnel from engaging in good faith <br /> bargaining . Experience in other States has shown bills of this nature do <br /> not eliminate strikes , and result in minimal bargaining efforts by unions <br /> in anticipation of excessive arbitration awards made without regard to ability <br /> of the local agencies to bear such burdens . Senator Dills , author of SB 333 , <br /> had stated at the Legislative Institute , sponsored by LCC , that he was not <br /> convinced the League leadership reflected the cities ' attitude , and Committee <br /> felt the record should be set straight that the League in fact did reflect <br /> the views of its member cities . <br /> Remarks of the Senator reflected the views of the lobbyists , who were almost <br /> exclusively composed of PORAC , the peace officers union . There is increasing <br /> disenchantment with this union , and some of the local peace officer associations <br /> of the Cities of San Francisco , San Diego and Los Angeles , and the Sheriff ' s <br /> Department in Los Angeles County, have broken away from this group . The Committee <br /> fully supports the right of peace officers to organize , and encourages better- <br /> ment of working conditions at the local level by local action, giving due <br /> regard to the general welfare of the community and burdens placed upon the <br /> taxpayers . <br /> The Committee strongly recommended opposition to SB 333 , and requested that <br /> a copy of the report be delivered to the San Mateo County Council of Mayors <br /> at its meeting of May 21 , and that copies be sent to all State Senators , <br /> Assemblyman Arnett , and the League of California Cities with a letter stating <br /> Councils position on this bill . Attached to the report were : LCC Legislative <br />