Loading...
Minutes 10-23-02CONTRACTUAL NEGOTIATION MEETING BETWEEN IAFF LOCAL 1891 AND THE CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH HELD ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2002 AT 2:00 P.M. IN CONFERENCE ROOM B, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA Present: For IAFF: Mike Fitzpatrick Treasurer x6626 Barkley Garnsey Business Agent x6327 Randy Jute President x6340 Dean Kinser Vice President x6340 For the City: Carol Cheek HR Coordinator x6278 Wilfred Hawkins Assistant City Manager x6012 Jim Ness Deputy Fire Chief x6333 Mary Munro Budget Coordinator x6314 Cc: Fire Chief Bill Bingham Rosemarie Lamanna, Legal Department Openinq and Introduction Mr. Hawkins convened the meeting at 2:05 a.m. Topics of Discussion Article 4 - Union Business Chief Ness felt that the union business issues had been resolved at the labor management meeting. The only question remaining is how the time would be treated; whether it would be treated as union business or as vacation time. This will be addressed in the SOG. There is also the opportunity to use union business for authorized leave if it is related to training or education. Mr. Jute pointed out that Section 2 of Article 4 is different from the one that he has. Mr. Jute requested that the dates be changed from "May 1 and May 15" to "May 1 and September 15." Chief Ness was not certain why the May date was selected and will follow through on this. Meeting Minutes IAFF Local 1891Contract Negotiations Boynton Beach, Florida October 23, 2002 Article 10 - Uniforms and Safety Equipment Chief Ness said there was a question regarding the inclusion of the "Formal Class A." Chief Bingham felt that it would be better to reference the wearing of uniforms in the rules and regulations. Chief Ness distributed a new version of the General Rules and Regulations and noted that Page 2 sets forth the uniform standards. A policy for wearing work shorts is also included in the new Rules and Regulations on Page 3, under "Uniform Descriptions, Class 'B'." Mr. Jute will review the language, but stated, after a cursory review, it appeared to be okay. Article 19 - Vacation Chief Ness pointed out that the vacation plans for a 40-hour and 48-hour workweek stop at 15 years. This is consistent with the original blended proposal and after 15 years, there is no change and the amount of vacation time would remain the same. Ms. Munro pointed out that it needs to be distinguished among the years and that it is confusing when the years overlap. Ms. Cheek responded that stating "less than or more than" would clear this up, for example "1 year, but less than 2 years." Mr. Garnsey requested that another column be added for 20 years with 25 vacation days for a 40-hour workweek. Mr. Garnsey will clarify the vacation language to include Ms. Munro's comments regarding the overlap. There would be no change to the vacation time for the 48-hour workweek. There is a typographical error on Page 42 of Article 19 in the first line regarding the date and that will be corrected to read "September 30, 2004." Discrimination, Article 2 It was agreed that the discrimination clause would read: "The City agrees not to discriminate against any employee for his/her activity in behalf of, or membership in, the Union." The second sentence would be eliminated. Mr. Jute stated that their attorney agreed to this, and Mr. Hawkins said that this change was okay. Mr. Hawkins will notify Mr. Cherof of the change. The parties acknowledged that there are still some insurance issues that need to be worked on, but agreed to discuss wages first. Wages, Article 14 Chief Ness presented a proposal from Chief Bingham. The figures were arrived at based upon the salary surveys that Mr. Garnsey undertook. The survey did 2 Meeting Minutes IAFF Local 1891Contract Negotiations Boynton Beach, Florida October 23, 2002 not include Boca Raton. Mr. Hawkins noted that when coming up with the figures, the new contract for Palm Beach County was also considered. The new proposal was distributed. Chief Ness referred to Page 25, Section 3 that stated "In addition, on the first full pay period of April 2003, 2004 and 2005 each member of the bargaining unit shall be eligible to receive a wage adjustment up to five percent (5%) into base pay on the anniversary date based on their annual evaluation...". Also distributed was a spreadsheet prepared by Ms. Munro showing what the impact would be for all union employees beginning in October 1, 2002 through 2004/05. The new Article provides that Lieutenants would receive an 8.4% raise, rather than a 10% raise as previously discussed. The spreadsheet prepared by Ms. Munro shows what each employee would receive in accordance with the new formula. Mr. Hawkins stated that the figures represent approximately a 7% increase over three years, which is more than the City originally budgeted and equates close to $1 million. Mr. Jute inquired if the dive/rescue employees would be included in the figures. Chief Ness was not certain on this at this time. Mr. Garnsey pointed out that employees would be going through the normal promotional phases from Firefighter I, II and II1. Therefore, some portion of the raises would occur through the promotional process in any event. Ms. Munro felt that if this were the case, there would have to be some kind of clarifying language to her spreadsheet if it were attached to the agreement as an exhibit. RECESS WAS DECLARED AT 2:55 P.M. THE MEETING RECONVENED AT 3:00 P.M. Mr. Jute referred to Section 3, on Page 25. He asked how employees that have an anniversary date in April would be handled, if April were the month that employees would be eligible for a wage adjustment based upon their evaluation. Mr. Hawkins responded that the wage adjustment for these employees would be prorated. Ms. Cheek explained how this would be handled and noted that it is addressed in the evaluation manual. Mr. Hawkins stated that a transitioning formula would have to be worked out. Mr. Garnsey would like this incorporated into the agreement. Mr. Hawkins stated that this was anticipated and that a transition formula was devised for the blue-collar union agreement. 3 Meeting Minutes IAFF Local 1891Contract Negotiations Boynton Beach, Florida October 23, 2002 Mr. Kinser noted that it would be difficult for the Lieutenants to do the evaluations because of the shift differentials, and he was not certain that all evaluations could be done by a certain date. Mr. Hawkins felt that this should be dealt with from an administrative standpoint. He pointed out that evaluations are due in April and there is a six-month evaluation due mid point, which should make the process easier because half the work would have been done. In follow up, Mr. Garnsey and Ms. Munro would get together to review the pay scale and how the figures could be incorporated into the agreement. It was agreed that the spreadsheet would not be used for the contract, but some type of matrix would be prepared that would show the step increases. Ms. Munro pointed out that it needs to be shown what the pay scale would be for an employee who is promoted mid-year. Mr. Hawkins questioned if this information was necessary. Ms. Cheek did not think it was necessary to have this written into the contract. It could be part of the pay plan, while the contract itself would show the ranges and would be referenced for promotional purposes. Mr. Hawkins pointed out that all pay plans go to the City Commission for approval, as well as the contract itself. Mr. Jute asked Mr. Hawkins if he had the insurance proposals and Mr. Hawkins responded that he had the material that was presented in August. Mr. Hawkins stated that in the near future all City employees would be receiving information regarding insurance. Mr. Hawkins inquired if the Fire Department had a representative on the Insurance Committee and Ms. Cheek stated that there have been no representatives present from Fire or Police at the past couple of meetings. Mr. Fitzpatrick requested to be notified whenever meetings are scheduled so that he could attend. Mr. Jute inquired about the longevity provisions, and Mr. Hawkins referred Mr. Jute to the PPM. Mr. Garnsey distributed to Ms. Munro a revised sample pay plan that had been prepared by Ms. Reese in August. Mr. Garnsey noted that the probationary range was eliminated on the revised plan. Next Meetin_~ Mr. Jute wanted to move ahead as fast as possible. Mr. Hawkins suggested that the next meeting could be scheduled for anytime after November 6th through November 8th. Mr. Hawkins will notify all the parties of the next meeting date. 4 Meeting Minutes IAFF Local 1891 Contract Negotiations Boynton Beach, Florida October 23, 2002 There being no further business, the meeting properly adjourned at 3:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Barbara M. Madden Recording Secretary (One tape) (October 28, 2002)