In early January, Pleasanton reached a tentative agreement with unions that represented 227 of the city’s employees. However, the agreement failed to win over residents who attended a public forum. After several closed-door sessions, the city council has decided to re-open negotiations, to the dismay of those who thought the issue had been settled.

The agreement, which would have created a two-tiered system, did not go far enough for some residents. After reading a report from the CalPERS system, said the city would end up paying more per-employee under the new system than the old.

From the Bay Area News Group:

Sparked by citizen concerns over pension costs, the city will reopen contract negotiations with one of its three employee unions, more than three months after a tentative agreement was reached.

Tuesday, the city council directed City Manager Nelson Fialho to reopen talks. The decision came after the city held three closed-door sessions in the past week on labor negotiations and a public workshop Feb. 1 to deal with its growing pension liability.

The decision chagrined many workers, who voiced disapproval over the council’s rejection of a tentative two-year contract for Pleasanton City Employees Association/AFSCME Local 955. The union represents 227 workers, including police dispatchers and planners.

Read the full article here.