Union Influence Sways Montgomery Budget Talks

"Montgomery's statute, from what I've seen, goes the furthest in making that a reality," he said.

Many jurisdictions nationwide call for binding arbitration when contract talks with firefighters or police officers reach an impasse. Montgomery and the District, however, are the only jurisdictions in the region that also provide for arbitration when talks break down with general government workers.

In Montgomery, arbitrators must by law look at the wages and benefits of other public employees in the region, including teachers.

Arbitrators also must consider the county's ability to pay. Jim Torgesen, labor relations manager from 1977 until 2005, said that was often a tough sell for Montgomery in flush times. Since 1983, arbitrators have sided with the unions in 11 of 14 cases.

To the three long-serving union leaders, their advocacy is more lifestyle or religion than a job. After 24 years as president of the Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 35, Bader has technically stepped aside, but he is still at the bargaining table, with encyclopedic recall.

Sparks, president of the International Association of Fire Fighters, is the slow and steady closer known as "Sparky." He greets some female council members with a kiss. And Renne, a flamboyant and sometimes profane former deputy sheriff, turns up the heat at the table only to later invite the targets of his ire for a drink.

"Over the years, they have developed a level of sophistication and knowledge of history that can be very effective," Torgesen said.

When Bader caught wind of a memo last year asking the council to sign off on a law firm he viewed as anti-union, he alerted Renne, who immediately called Leggett.

"If you bring in that law firm with a history of being antagonistic to unions," Renne said he told Leggett, it would have a "profound impact on our relationship for years to come."

Five days after the memo was sent, the county pulled its request and later sought council approval of a different law firm.

Council analysts have recommended scrapping several contract provisions. The county is slated to spend $1.75 million to buy 35 patrol cars for police officers who live beyond the county's borders. Officers who are county residents are allowed to use a patrol car when they are off duty, whereas out-of-county officers drive a personal vehicle to and from work.

Under the program, out-of-county officers could park patrol cars in lots near the county line. The program, according to council staff, "means very expensive vehicles can sit unused for days." Analysts instead suggest using some of the money to restore a police recruit class.