HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-08-2022 Union MinutesPBA UNION WAGE NEGOTIATIONS
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
AUGUST 8, 2022
Present: Al Boettjer, Staff Representative, Coastal Florida PBA/PEA Union
Representative, 810 Fentress Court, Daytona Beach, FL 32117
Paul Carlisle, City Manager, City of Sebastian
Ken Killgore, Administrative Services Director/CFO, City of Sebastian
Cynthia Watson, Human Services Director, City of Sebastian
Manny Anon, Jr., City Attorney
Ken McDonough, PBA Union Representative
Matthew Radock, PBA Union Representative
Janet Graham, Technical Writer
Mr. Boettjer called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m. He stated that this will be round
three of negotiations between the Police Benevolent Association and the City of
Sebastian. Each of the participants introduced him/herself.
Mr. Boettjer said that the parties are here today to discuss the City's proposal to initiate
the baseline of the City's proposal on pay raises. Mr. Carlisle said that what the City
wanted to put out there is its plan for hiring new officers, implementing the pay raise and
how it will be handled for the tenured officers. He explained that any officer who fits the
class of police officer or police sergeant and is not at this minimum range would be
brought up to the current minimum range.
Mr. Boettjer asked if the City intends to continue negotiations after that. Mr. Carlisle said
there is another meeting scheduled for August 30t" to continue negotiations.
Detective McDonough said that, in getting the base pay up and using the Evergreen study
to help get that information, what was talked about in the previous two meetings was
raising it up to $46,000.00. Because that would have officers less than $46,000.00 who
have already been here, the City would then have to bump them up all the way through
to anybody over 15 years would get a bonus of 3%. He asked if Mr. Carlisle is asking to
implement all that right now —the $46,000.00 plus there are some officers who need to
be bumped up because they would be under the $46,000.00. Mr. Carlisle stated that is
correct. Detective McDonough stated it is the membership's contention that the City can
do that, and it does not need his group's permission to do that. He stated that if the City
wants to bump up the minimum to whatever figure they decide on, it can do that;
technically, it does not have to be in the contract, and you do not need the union to agree
to that. Mr. Carlisle stated yes. Officer McDonough said that is not something that his
group is agreeing on right now. He added that, if that is how the City wants to address
this problem, the union is okay with that.
Officer Radock clarified that, if the City agrees to this, the union is still in negotiations
during the first year, the second year, and the third year. Mr. Carlisle said that is correct.
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Detective McDonough clarified that, if the City wants to move the bottom line to starting
at $46,000.00, the City can do that. Mr. Carlisle agreed. Detective McDonough asked if
the City can move those people's salaries also without it having to be in the contract. Mr.
Carlisle said that the City Attorney has advised that the City cannot. The employees who
are already covered under a bargaining agreement, we cannot arbitrarily change their
salary. That is part of the negotiations. That is why the City needs the union to agree
when we provide the existing employees with the minimum. He suggested that the union
needs to sign off on at least bringing them to the minimum at this point. Then everything
else we will continue to negotiate.
Mr. Anon stated that his recommendation to the City was that anything that has to do with
wages, terms, and conditions of employment —and this is a wage issue —are a mandatory
section of bargaining. So at the minimum, the City would bring it to your attention, which
the City did. That is why this meeting is being held today, to offer that. We did offer it to
the general employees, but we forgot to offer it to the Police Department. The reason is
strictly to move whoever is affected by it up to the minimum. If you do not agree to it, we
will negotiate it later on. We are giving you that opportunity since everyone else will be
moved up effective immediately.
Mr. Boettjer said that, to be clear, you are not eliminating the ability for the membership
to negotiate any additional wage in the August 30th negotiation. Mr. Carlisle added also
after that date if we do not reach an agreement on the 30th. This does not affect our
negotiations moving forward. This is specifically to make sure the City does not have
employees here who are making less than the minimum.
Mr. Boettjer asked to go off the record to caucus the union representatives.
(OFF THE RECORD at 1:38 P.M.)
(BACK ON THE RECORD AT 1:50 P.M.)
Officer Radock clarified that the starting salary is going to be going up to $46,000.00, and
the officers who are not making $46,000.00 will be bumped up to $46,000.00 at this time.
Mr. Carlisle said that is correct, in the next pay period. Officer Radock stated that those
officers in the negotiations for the first year, second year, and third year will be getting a
raise, if we get a raise, that will be the same as everybody else. Mr. Carlisle said it will
be whatever is negotiated at the time. Officer Radock said he would agree to that.
Mr. Boettjer suggested that a Memorandum of Understanding be done in order to be clear
so that the membership does not have any question about the fact that they are going to
be able to negotiate wages.
Officer Radock stated that the City agreed at the last negotiation to provide some numbers
of employees' wages. Mr. Carlisle said that has been done.
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Mr. Boettjer stated that the union representatives are in agreement. The recording will
reflect their approval. Mr. Carlisle stated that, if they agree that the recording is sufficient,
then there will not be a need for a Memo of Understanding. Mr. Boettjer agreed.
There being nothing further, the meeting was adjourned at 1:52 P.M.
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