Madison judge rules police can negotiate deductibles

By The Associated Press

CREATED Oct. 26, 2012

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MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- A Madison judge has ruled Eau Claire County Sheriff deputies can negotiate their health care deductibles.

Dane County Judge Juan Colas' ruling marks a victory for rank-and-file police officers statewide who have complained their employers have threatened huge unilateral deductible increases if they didn't contribute more to their pensions.

Those municipalities contend language in the state budget prohibits police and firefighters from having any say in deductible structure. But Colas disagreed in a ruling handed down Thursday.

Eau Claire County attorney Keith Zehms didn't immediately return a message Friday.

A Milwaukee County judge ruled in April that city of Milwaukee police could negotiate deductibles. The city has appealed that ruling.