Minutes 08-30-11
MINUTES OF CONTRACT NEGOTIATION SESSION BETWEEN IAFF LOCAL 1891
AND THE CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH, HELD ON TUESDAY,
AUGUST 30, 2011 AT 10:00 A.M. At FIRE STATION 5
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
For the City: For the Union:
Lori LaVerriere, Interim City Manager Dean Kinser, President
Ray Carter, Interim Fire ChiefRobert Kruse, Vice President
Julie Oldbury, Director, HR Thomas Murphy, Jr., Secretary
Larry Lederhandler, Treasurer
Adam Turey, Business Agent
The meeting was opened at 9:58 a.m. followed by self-introductions.
Lori LaVerriere
, Interim City Manager, explained at the last meeting, the parties
discussed allowing the opportunity to bargain on the next three-year contract wage
element.
Dean Kinser,
President, Local 1891, commented the Union brought a proposal back for
the City to review.
Adam Turey
, Business Agent, left the meeting to make copies of the proposal at 10:00
a.m. and returned at 10:02 a.m.
Mr. Kinser reviewed the proposal using the standard MOU template. The “Whereas”
clauses were standard and were already discussed. They related to wages and
economic conditions. The modifications to medical insurance had already been
discussed. The “Now, Therefore” provision contained a proposal that was previously put
on the table and discussed earlier in the year.
The existing contract already contained the provision about the Florida Legislative
Enactment. Section 2 of the Union proposal had revised language and only specified
the intent of the reopener was to negotiate the increases, the dates, and the time
period. The wage adjustment addressed Article 14, Section 2.A. which pertained to the
October 1, 2012 wage adjustment. Mr. Kinser explained the City had issues with
language about taxable values and the percentages. The new proposal left those out
because there were other contributing factors and revenue streams the City relied on for
the budget.
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Meeting Minutes
IAFF Contract Negotiations
Boynton Beach, FL August 30, 2011
The proposal allowed for discussion of the wage adjustment for year three assuming the
City is faced with an economic hardship in their budget not limited to the decrease in
final taxable values. This addressed the 2.5% increase. The proposal did not address
the merit and it would be automatic on April 1, 2013. The dollar value of that was
approximately $240,000, but it was contingent on staffing and salaries. This would
affect six months of the 2013 budget.
Ms. LaVerriere explained if the City had to fund the increase, which would be about
$250,000, they would, but the monies would have to come from somewhere and she did
not know what the budget would be next year. She acknowledged the Union had
already cut a lot, but explained the Commission wanted the opportunity to look at the
entire situation next year. She opined the City would still suffer a loss next year and
recovery was about two or three years away. She hoped the Commission would keep
the tax rate at 7.4 mills because the City still had a deficit of $300,000 at the 7.4 mills.
She anticipated next year, the City would be in a similar situation.
Ray Carter
, Interim Fire Chief, wanted to ensure the Union understood the significance
of what was occurring. He expressed if the Commission had to honor the pay raise
without being able to discuss the issue, the Commission would likely make cuts within
the Fire Department. Currently, six vacant firefighter positions were under consideration
to be cut. If the Union’s proposal is brought forward and the Commission has to fund
the raises, it was possible the City may close Fire Station No. 1 and lay off eight
positions.
Chief Carter emphasized all the City wanted to do was have the ability to discuss those
two wage pieces. He stressed there was more at stake than just the pay raise.
Response times and workloads would be affected, as would their ability to do other
tasks. He reiterated if the City had to pay the raises, they would set off to find the
money sooner rather than later.
Ms. LaVerriere recognized issues had always been resolved. The City was not asking
for a commitment or language that indicates they would not receive the raise; rather,
they just want to discuss it. Other departments had already forgone their pay raises.
As the contract stands, it was negotiated in good faith and the pay raise is in it until the
City approached them to say they cannot afford it.
The City has lost 200 employees in the past five years and Ms. LaVerriere hoped they
would not have to lay people off. All departments lost positions. This year was worse
for the City than last year. The City has less money and $6.2 million will only operate
the City for three months. She was seeking to balance the budget and was only
requesting the Union be agreeable to talk with them next year on both elements. It was
hoped that in light of this information, the Union would reconsider its position.
Mr. Kinser acknowledged the situation but pointed out the Union was looking at different
aspects. They were stumbling because they gave up items earlier on. He commented
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Meeting Minutes
IAFF Contract Negotiations
Boynton Beach, FL
August 30, 2011
the City was not into its projections two years out. He pointed out every time someone
was hired, they get the job, but no assurance of future benefits. He commented an
employee on the job five years should not make the same salary as a new employee.
That was an issue they were having with the April reopener. He commented they could
not caucus on it, and it needed to be discussed with the members. He offered to let the
City know of the members' determination by Friday.
There was discussion of the timing of the budget hearings. Ms. LaVerriere commented
attracting quality employees was important and the City positioned itself to be
competitive in its recruiting through benefits such as wages and step plans. She would
like to be able to reinstate those programs in the future.
Larry Lederhandler, Treasurer, commented the firefighters have always helped
whether there was an opener or reopener. The issue would occur in 18 months. Ms.
LaVerriere explained the budget for that time period would be discussed in March or
April of next year. The preliminary valuations are received June1 st and they begin the
budget process in March. When the Union permitted a reopener, historically, they did
not receive that benefit, they gave it up. Chief Carter and Ms. LaVerriere acknowledged
it; however, the City Commission wanted an agreement stating they would discuss the
matter.
There was brief discussion about the Fire Assessment and the Commission's
understanding of the millage rate. Ms. LaVerriere expressed it appeared the
Commission was aware of the need to keep the millage rate at an appropriate level.
After further discussion about the Fire and Police Department budgets and the City's
budget, there was agreement the Union and the City would meet again when the Union
made its decision.
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was closed at 10:35 a.m.
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Catherine Cherry - 6
Recording Secretary
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