When city police got their outrageous arbitration award last year, we predicted that other City employees were going to expect lots more, too.

Now, with several of the City’s labor contracts set to expire Dec. 31, one of the largest City bargaining units, the San Luis Obispo City Employees Association (SLOCEA), has hired Strobridge and Brennler and Associates to negotiate its next contract. SLOCEA represents about half of the City’s 300 employees.

Strobridge and Brennler and Associates Principal Dale Strobridge, who retired from SLOPD and now works as a county deputy sheriff, is often given either credit or blame for making SLO’s police salaries and benefits nearly the highest in the state.

While he hasn’t always been that effective in other jurisdictions, his “take no prisoners” approach is sure to inject a level of divisiveness that was unknown in this city before he got involved here.

Interestingly, his approach doesn’t always win praise from the groups he represents. Recently the County Deputy Sheriff’s Association voted overwhelmingly (70 percent to 30 percent) to decertify Strobridge as its representative and form a new association.