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
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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.
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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.
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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)