We received word today (January 15, 2010) that the board of directors for the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas (CLEAT) voted to discontinue re-unification talks with TMPA. We are disappointed that our efforts to reunify our two organizations ended. During the last meeting with the representatives of both organizations we pointed out that we needed more specific information about what appeared to be a severely underfunded pension plan that covers only eight of their top executives and several retirees. We found during a routine review of independent audits that this plan was underfunded and between 2006 and 2007 over $1.7 million was transferred in to the plan in an effort to get it sufficiently funded. This is in addition to the regular retirement contributions that CLEAT makes for all other employees.
These were figures we had before we began our re-unification talks and from the outset of discussions we were assured the pension plan would not be an issue. Despite their efforts to assure us this plan would not be a continuing liability to a unified organization, we were never provided needed documentation of its stability. This information was vital from our position because TMPA obviously could not risk its financial standing, which necessarily meant we had to have full disclosure of all contingent liabilities.
Although the CLEAT board of directors claimed they discontinued talks over philosophical and parliamentary differences, we have to note that the issues they cited were addressed many months ago and were previously agreed to and were prominently displayed on our respective websites.
The following is an excerpt from a press release that was released today:
AUSTIN – After more than a year and half of negotiations the board of directors for the Combined Law Enforcement Association of Texas (CLEAT) unexpectedly voted to suspend reunification talks with the Texas Municipal Police Association (TMPA). Re-unification discussions began in early 2008 and had yielded some promising results. “We found that the membership in the two organizations was really not that different. Both organizations represent hard working men and women in law enforcement that want the tools and resources they need to protect and serve their communities,” said Eddie Wilkerson, President of TMPA and a Sergeant with the Pasadena Police Department. The decision comes after repeated attempts by TMPA to obtain critical financial information from CLEAT including documentation on an executive only pension fund that benefits only top employees at the organization. “We began discussions in good faith and those discussions yielded tremendous progress over the last year, so their decision to end talks at this time is troubling and disappointing,” said Chris Heaton, TMPA Executive Director. . .
TMPA already represents more Texas peace officers than any other organization in this state (over 16,000) and offers superior legal protection through contract attorneys and guaranteed response, contract bargaining for the new labor era, powerful legislative advocacy at the state Capitol and beyond, local political support to strengthen the voice of officers in their communities, and comprehensive training to promote professionalism in law enforcement.
We did establish some very positive relationships with members of their organization and one of the best outcomes of these discussions was that we found very little separates TMPA and CLEAT members.
We are proud of our efforts in these negotiations, which took place over many months. While it is disappointing that we could not find a way to bring our organizations together at this time, we remain confident that our mission and our philosophy best serves the interest of working men and women in law enforcement. We thank you for your support for TMPA and we will never forget that we exist for you and we will work to continue earning your membership every day.