LOS ANGELES : Judge Extends His Ban on ‘Blue Flu’ in LAPD Ranks

A Los Angeles Superior Court judge on Thursday kept in place an order that prevents Los Angeles police officers from using a work disruption or “blue flu” in an attempt to win wage concessions from the city.

Citing state laws that prohibit job actions that could endanger public safety, Judge Robert H. O’Brien granted a preliminary injunction, extending the ban he issued late last month on officers initiating a massive sickout.

Union officials said they will appeal O’Brien’s ruling, which they said hamstrings their efforts to force city officials to negotiate a new contract with about 7,500 rank-and-file officers.

City officials praised the decision and continue to say they have no money to grant officers a pay raise.

In a related development Thursday, City Administrative Officer Keith Comrie announced that firefighters and fire captains agreed to a two-year contract that grants them no wage increase, but slight improvements in vacation time and pension benefits. Management negotiators said the settlement by Fire Department employees should be a model for police officers and more than a dozen other unions still negotiating contracts.