HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/16/1999, C3 - MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO AND THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIREFIGHTERS, LOCAL 3523, FOR THE PERIOD JULY 1, 1997 THROUGH JUNE 30, 1999 council "- °;G
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C I TY OF SAN LU IS 0 B I S P 0
FROM: Ken Hampian,Assistant City Administrative Offices
Prepared By: Wendy George,Assistant to the City Administrative Officer
SUBJECT: MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF SAN LUIS
OBISPO AND THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF
FIREFIGHTERS, LOCAL 3523, FOR THE PERIOD JULY 19 1997
THROUGH JUNE 30, 1999
CAO RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution approving the Memorandum of Agreement with the International Association of
Firefighters,Local 3523,for the period July 1, 1997 through June 30, 1999.
DISCUSSION
Background
The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the City of San Luis Obispo and the
International Association of Firefighters, Local 3523, expired on June 30, 1997, after a term of
three years. Negotiations with the Union to develop a successor agreement were begun in May,
1997. The City's negotiators were Ken Hampian, Assistant City Administrative Officer, Wendy
George, Assistant to the City Administrative Officer, Karen Jenny, ]tisk Manager, and Richard
Bolanos of Whitmore,Johnson and Bolanos. The Union's negotiating team for regular MOA issues
was headed by Larry Parker and consisted of a number of fire personnel. A second Union
negotiating team dealt with issues related to a proposed Firefighter I program and was headed by
Mark McCullough, with the assistance of Christopher Platten of Wylie, McBride,Jesinger, Sure &
Platten.
Agreement could not be reached on the proposed Firefighter I program. Nor could it be reached on
a follow up proposal to add new lower steps to the Firefighter salary range as an alternative to the
Firefighter I program. After a lengthy impasse process, the fact-finder's recommendation
supporting the City's proposed new Firefighter salary steps was approved by the Council on July
217 1998, to be implemented unilaterally. On October 6, 1999, the City Council unilaterally
approved salary increases of 3% for union members retroactive to July 1, 1997, and July 1, 1998
and increased the City's health insurance benefit from$415 to$420 per month.
The Union eventually ratified the remaining tentative agreements. Unfortunately, the Union and
the City were unable to agree on final language to be included in the MOA, and the Union filed suit
against the City. Specifically, disagreement arose over wording for the following "management
rights" areas addressing implementation of the new entry level salary steps:
• When new firefighters may become paramedics
• Testing for entry-level firefighters
• Limitation on the number of applications to be accepted
• Certification requirements for entry-level firefighters
The City and the Union have finally reached compromises on the MOA language and the Union
CM
Council Agenda Report-Fire MOA
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has dropped its lawsuit. The compromise consists of including these provisions in the next two
MOA's after which they will be converted to side letters.
Terms of the Agreement
The following is a summary of the significant changes and cost items included in the agreement:
Length: 24 months(July 1, 1997-June 30, 1999).
Year 1: July 1, 1997- Salary increase of 3%(retroactive).
July 1, 1997- Increase health insurance benefit from$415 to$420 per
month(retroactive).
Year 2: July 1, 1998- Salary increase of 3%(retroactive).
July 21, 1998-Addition of four new lower steps on Firefighter salary range.
February, 1999-Bi-lingual pay similar to the Police Department program
for employees meeting Fire Department standards(to be
developed).
Other.
• Upon the upgrade of the City's payroll system,implementation of the employee-paid 9%
PERS option(Gov. Code Section 20636(c).(4)).
• Departmental assessment process to be completed by 7/1/2000.
• Vacation accrual cap increased from 300 hours to twice the employee's annual vacation
accrual.
• Family leave hours increased to 24 per year. Change does not increase total sick leave
annual accrual.
Finally,the following significant opener was agreed to:
• Upon notice from the City, the Union will discuss an incentive program to reduce sick
leave usage as part of a joint process with other employee associations.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total compensation increase for Year 1 is approximately $88,800 or 3.12%. The additional
compensation increase for Year 2 is approximately $84,600 or 2.88%. There are no actual
significant fiscal impacts associated with this action, since the majority of the compensation
increases are unchanged from those approved by the Council in October, 1998. The only
exceptions are small additions for bi-lingual pay and the PERS "pick up" which will not be
significant.
Attachments
Resolution
A copy of Exhibit A,the Memorandum of Agreement,is in the Council Reading File.
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RESOLUTION NO. (1999 Shies)
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
ADOPTING AND RATIFYING THE MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN
THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO AND THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF
FIREFIGHTERS,LOCAL 3523,FOR THE PERIOD JULY 1, 1997-JUNE 30, 1999
WHEREAS, the City of San Luis Obispo and the International Association of
Firefighters, Local 3523, have met and conferred to form a new Memorandum of Agreement for
the period July 1, 1997, through June 30, 1999; and
WHEREAS, the International Association of Firefighters, Local 3523,has voted to ratify
the new Memorandum of Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo
as follows:
SECTION 1. The Memorandum of Agreement between the City of San Luis Obispo and
the International Association of Firefighters, Local 3523, attached hereto as exhibit "A" and
incorporated herein by this reference,is hereby adopted and ratified.
SECTION 2. The Finance Director shall adjust the Personnel Services appropriation
accounts to reflect the negotiated compensation changes.
SECTION 3. The City Clerk shall furnish a copy of this resolution and a copy of the
executed Memorandum of Agreement approved by it to: Mark McCullough, President of the
International Association of Firefighters, Local 3523; the Assistant City Administrative Officer
and the Finance Director.
Upon motion of , seconded by
and on the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
the foregoing resolution was adopted this day of , 1999.
Mayor Allen Settle
ATTEST:
City Clerk
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Resolution No. =
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APPROVED AS-TO FORM:
J G. or . se-, CityAttorney
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