A majority of dispatchers with the Poplar Bluff Police Department cast ballots Thursday to become members of a union.
Negotiations on the first contract will begin after a 10-day waiting period and final certification of the votes, said union representative Mark Baker with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 702. The election results can be challenged by either side during the waiting period, he said.
A hearing has also been set for July 25 concerning negotiations with the city for the organization of commissioned officers who wish to join a union, said Baker.
Discussions are still ongoing on what that bargaining unit will look like, according to city manager Mark Massingham.
"Once that is determined then there will be an election of those employees," he said.
Members of the police department have asked to be represented by IBEW, which also serves Municipal Utilities workers.
The police department will have two separate units because state law dictates dispatchers can fall into a category of workers governed by the State Board of Mediation, while commissioned officers do not.
There are seven dispatchers, of which five cast ballots Thursday, according to a tally of votes signed by an officer of the State Board of Mediation.
The votes were four for IBEW Local 702 and one against participating in a labor organization.
The city was notified of the results Thursday, said Massingham.
"As required, management will meet with the union and review their proposal," said Massingham.
The union needed 50 percent plus 1 of the votes cast to be successful, said Baker, who does not believe the results will be challenged.
After certification, the union will meet with the seven dispatchers.
"We would ask them to give us proposals for what they would like to see in a contract. We would request to meet with the city, whoever they would designate as their negotiation representative," Baker said, explaining the representative could be the police chief, city manager, council member or another individual.
The process to establish a first contract can be lengthy, according to Baker.
The union has already collected cards of interest from commissioned officers, receiving support from at least two-thirds of these individuals, Baker said.
The city is contesting the inclusion of captains, lieutenants, sergeants and corporals in this unit, he said.
The matter will be brought before a hearing officer at the July 25 meeting. Cape Girardeau attorney John Grimm is serving as the neutral party to hear arguments from both sides, if an agreement is not reached before the hearing.
"At the conclusion of the hearing, I believe the hearing officer will have the ability to make a decision," Baker said, adding it could be that day, or at a later date. "My understanding is his decision would be final and binding on both sides."
Baker believes the department could proceed with a vote by commissioned officer once the bargaining unit is determined.