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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-06-2017 PBA MinutesCITY OF SEBASTIAN PBA UNION CONTRACT NEGOTIATION MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING September 6, 2017 Present: Al Boettjer, Coastal Florida PEA Union Representative Ken Killgore, Administrative Services Director, City of Sebastian Cynthia Watson, Asst. Administrative Services Dir/HR Manager, City of Sebastian This is the second meeting for the PBA Contract to discuss wage negotiations. Today’s date is September 6, 2017 and it is 10:30 AM. Those present are Al Boettjer, Coastal Florida PEA/PBA Union Representative, Cynthia Watson, Human Resources Manager, City of Sebastian, Ken Killgore, Administrative Services Director, City of Sebastian, and Dan Acosta, Support Services Commander Sebastian Police Department. Excused from the meeting are elected representatives Ken McDonough. Elected Representative Ken McDonough was unable to be present but has discussed the intent of the bargaining unit members with Mr. Boettjer this morning and they are prepared to move forward. Mr. Killgore stated that the City is on record from the previous meeting regarding a history of the insurance and the cost of the insurance for the employee. We have modified the pension plan with COLA, instituted the DROP program and buyback options. We think the City has done a lot. We indicated at that meeting, the City budgeted up to 3% as far as pay increases, subject to Council approve. In addition, the City has about $75,000 that could be available for reclassification of positions and adjustments to pay grades because of the market place or inequities in the pay structure. We are prepared to, through management’s discretion during the year to make those adjustments to the extent we can. While we still hope that we wouldn’t commit all of that money and show some restraints in next year’s budget cycle we can make the same kind of recommendation to City Council. We are preparing comments so we can take this (3% increase and $75,000) to City Council for approval. Mr. Boettjer stated the PBA had presented to the City a request for a 4% increase and we withdraw that. It is just for the record. We also discussed with you the compression issues that exist in the rank and file of the bargaining unit. Some people with length of service were just a few pennies different than new hires that they are training. These are the FTOs and such. It has come to light that Chief Morris has an interest in resolving those issues with the City so Mr. Boettjer doesn’t see any need to include that in the contract language and wages. The PBA has reviewed the salary levels and we feel that we are not asking for too much if we ask for the 3% that we would have had which is consistent with the plan that the City had some time back and what was feasible in salary increases so we are requesting a 3% increase and if the City can agree to that, we are ready to ratify the contract and go to a vote. Mr. Killgore stated there aren’t any other issues on the table except for the wage increase so we do have City funding in the budget and the City’s position would be that that would be acceptable for us. Mr. Boettjer stated we tentatively agree to the wage article and move forward for ratification vote. Mr. Killgore stated he will ratify the article with the proposed increase for October 1, 2017. Mr. Killgore stated he will amend the article. Mr. Boettjer stated the PEA ratified last week August 30, 2017. Mr. Boettjer, Mr. Killgore and Ms. Watson signed the draft article with the 3% increase dated today. Mr. Boettjer stated that the article will be posted for five days. Ms. Watson will send Mr. Boettjer the article and the vote will be next week. Mr. Boettjer stated he will get the hot-sheet together. A target date, barring any hurricane issues, will be September 27, 2017, the City Council meeting. Mr. Killgore stated he doesn’t foresee any problems at Council. We need all information from the union for the Council meeting. Mr. Boettjer will have things ready for September 18th or 19th. Mr. Boettjer stated that there would be an impasse if Council doesn’t approve. Negotiations concluded at 10:50 AM September 6, 2017.