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CITY OF GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA
REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM
Report: Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Glendale and Glendale Firefighters' Association (GFFA) Local 776.
1. Resolution Approving and Adopting the MOU Commencing July 1, 2024 and terminating after June 30, 2027.
2. Resolution providing for the establishment of classification titles and compensation for Employees Covered by the City/GFFA MOU.
COUNCIL ACTION
Item Type: Action Item
Approved for February 13, 2024 calendar
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Glendale Firefighters’ Association/Local 776 (GFFA) serves as the negotiating body for rank-and file Fire Sworn professionals, including Firefighter Recruits, Firefighters, Fire Engineers, Fire Captains, and related Paramedic roles. Since June 27, 2023, the City has been engaged in labor discussions with the GFFA to establish a successor memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
GFFA members take great pride in their association, consistently showcasing their commitment to the Fire Department’s goals and the exceptional character of their colleagues. Over the past ten years, the GFFA has worked closely with the City and Fire Management to adopt innovative approaches for enhancing their life-saving responsibilities, tackling budgetary challenges, and introducing cost-effective solutions.
At the onset of these negotiations, a detailed compensation analysis was conducted for Glendale Firefighter Paramedics, considering factors like base pay, longevity bonuses, education incentives, employer healthcare contributions, paid leave, and employer- supported retirement plans (401 or 457). Initially ranked 10th among 10 comparable cities, the GFFA’s position is set to improve to 5 th, thanks to the cost-of-living adjustments proposed in the new MOU.
This three-year MOU will affect 154 current employees and five vacant positions. Staff believes this MOU strikes a fair balance between offering competitive compensation and upholding fiscal responsibility.
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RECOMMENDATION
Approve the attached Resolution and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City and GFFA/Local 776, and the accompanying Resolutions concerning the compensation of the relevant employees in its current form.
ANALYSIS
The GFFA has demonstrated a strong tradition of cooperative engagement with the City, especially in challenging economic times. A retrospective analysis over 15 years reveals that during the 2008-2009 recession, the GFFA agreed to reopen their existing MOU multiple times. These negotiations involved postponing planned salary increases and agreeing to higher cost-share for employer Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) deductions. The 2006 MOU underwent seven amendments and was extended until June 2018, reflecting these economic adjustments. Following this period, a three- year MOU was agreed upon, resulting in a modest salary increase of 3.5%. The subsequent MOU, spanning from July 2021 to June 2024, incorporated modest cost-of- living adjustments of 3% all deferred to the latter two years of the agreement.
In the current negotiation, the City’s objective has been to bring its contributions to medical premiums in line with those of the Glendale Management Association – Police, while also striving for a fair and balanced labor agreement. This agreement aims to address the retention challenges within the Fire Department and includes a commitment to a 50-50 shared responsibility model for any increases in medical premiums.
The GFFA outlined their negotiation goals as follows:
1) Preserve current staffing levels to ensure all fire stations are operational and fully staffed.
2) Attract and recruit potential firefighters from the local community. 3) Retain existing firefighters to avert any staffing shortages. 4) Sustain their 97% approval rating and guarantee prompt 911 response times. 5) Develop and implement new strategies to enhance diversity, inclusion and exceptional service within the City.
6) Foster a more integrated and collaborative environment with the Police Department.
7) Continue active participation in City-wide community events and activities.
Throughout the negotiation process, several proposals were discussed and refined, ultimately leading to mutually agreeable terms in line with our established priorities and objectives, and expected to significantly contribute to the advancement of fire operations.
We are pleased to announce the finalization of a three-year MOU between the City and GFFA/Local 776. This MOU will be effective from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2027. It is important to note that while the MOU officially begins on July 1, 2024, the City will proactively increase its contributions to medical premiums from June 1, 2024 to match 3{{section.number}}{{item.number}}
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those of other associations. This adjustment precedes a commitment to maintain a 50- 50 cost-sharing model for each subsequent benefit-plan-year.
This three-year agreement includes cost-of-living adjustments for all unit employees as follows:
•FY 24/25: 5% (effective July 1, 2024)
•FY 25/26: 5% (effective July 1, 2025)
•FY 26/27: 5% (effective July 1, 2026)
The MOU further addresses retention challenges by including other smaller pay adjustments such as a 2% (non-pensionable) one-time bonus in year one, reducing retirement cost sharing for employees covered by the Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) by 3.5% in year two, and in year three both increase the City’s contribution by 2% into 457 deferred compensation for Classic employees and create a 2% RT130, Wildland Fire Safety Certification Pay.
The proposed MOU marked with red lines to indicate changes from the previous MOU, is attached for reference.
The MOU terms were presented to GFFA members for ratification in December 2023 which was. In January 2024, the City was informed by the GFFA of its ratification by the membership with a vote of 77% in favor.
The staff report also includes a Classification and Compensation Resolution to implement the agreed-upon compensation adjustments for the GFFA represented employees.
STAKEHOLDERS/OUTREACH
N/A
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to the adoption of this MOU in the current fiscal year. The subsequent years’ costs are as follows and shall be appropriated as part of the regular budget process:
Term Fiscal Year Cost
Year One 2024/2025 $3,943,423
Year Two 2025/2026 $6,984,300
Year Three 2026/2027 $12,092,378
TOTAL $23,020,101
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ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW (CEQA/NEPA)
This item is exempt from the CEQA under CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) as an agreement to provide compensation for employees there is no possibility that it may have a significant effect on the environment.
CAMPAIGN DISCLOSURE
This item is exempt from campaign disclosure requirements.
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Alternative 1: Not approve Resolutions as submitted.
Alternative 2: The City Council may consider other alternatives not proposed by staff.
ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION
Submitted by:
Paula Adams, Chief Human Resources Officer
Prepared by:
Paula Adams, Chief Human Resources Officer
Approved by:
Roubik R. Golanian, P.E., City Manager
EXHIBITS/ATTACHMENTS
1. Text of proposed Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Glendale and Glendale Firefighters’ Association/Local 776. Three-year agreement commencing July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2027.