City of Gonzales
FINANCE DEPARTMENT
STAFF REPORT
TO: Honorable Mayor Rios and City Council
DATE: September 18, 2023
FROM: Mike Howard, Finance Director
THROUGH: Carmen Gil, City Manager
SUBJECT: Resolution No. 2023-61 - International Association of Fire Fighters Local 5388 Memorandum of Understanding
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2023-61, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Authorizing the Execution of a Memorandum of Understanding Between the City of Gonzales and the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 5388, for the period covering January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2024.
BACKGROUND
In late 2022, the City Council and staff were informed at a City Council meeting of the intent of the City’s full-time fire fighter employees to organize. The City and the representative from the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) began discussions after signature cards and other materials were delivered to the City Attorney and City staff in compliance with Chapter 15 of the City’s Personnel Rules, Regulations and Policies.
On February 17, 2023, the City and IAFF Local 5388 held its first meeting to negotiate a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Gonzales and IAFF Local 5388. Mr. Tony Spitaleri was the lead negotiator for the Union and at times, all the fire fighters were in attendance at negotiation meetings. The City and the Union held a total of 15 meetings, concluding on September 8, 2023 with a Tentative Agreement to be presented to the membership for ratification. During the negotiations, the parties dealt with a total of 46 proposals, 41 from the Union and five from the City.
It is important to note that this is a new MOU and negotiations involved discussions on the creation of all the language contained in the MOU, and is the reason for the number of meetings and time it took to get to reach a final agreement.
AGENDA
ITEM
15 The IAFF Local 5388 held a ratification vote on September 9, 2023, and ratified the MOU by the membership.
REVIEW AND ANALYSIS
As referenced in the background, the MOU between the City of Gonzales and the IAFF Local 5388 is a new agreement. Therefore, the MOU in its final form will be drafted by the two lead negotiators, Tony Spitaleri and Mike Howard in the coming weeks.
During the period of seven months and 15 meetings, the two parties came to a final “tentative agreement” on September 8, 2023. Key items in the new MOU for the City of Gonzales Fire Fighters are listed below. • The term of the MOU will be 2 years, retroactive to January 1, 2023 • For the Fire Fighters in the Fire Department, the City will use a 56-hour work week schedule which is standard in the industry.
• Vacation and Sick Leave accruals will be adjusted for the 56-hour work schedule. • Implementation of “caps” or maximum accruals are in place for Vacation and Compensation Time • The City will issue a Uniform Allowance check once a year instead of employees purchasing and turning in receipts for their uniforms.
• Certification Pay: The City will pay an additional 3.5% of an employee’s base wage for employees who complete the Firefighter 2 Certification Training Standard and for employees who complete the State Fire Training Company Officer Certification Training Standards Certificate, the City will pay an additional 3.5% of the employee’s base pay. This provision would be similar to the section in the Police Officer’s MOU related to POST Intermediate and Advanced Certificates. • Wages: January 2023, employees to receive a 3.75% COLA (which was already given to employees), and January 2024, employees to receive a 4% COLA. The City had already planned to give the fire fighters 3.75% as part of the public safety increase before the decision to organize so the actual increase to the budget is .25%.
• Provisions of the new MOU will take effect the first pay period following ratification by the union membership and City Council.
As stated earlier, many other sections of the MOU were negotiated such as the grievance procedure, department “standing orders”, unpaid leaves, recognition of the Union, union dues check-off, etc.
Explain Recommendation and How it Supports the Vision
Gonzales will continue to be a safe, clean, family-friendly community, diverse in its heritage, and committed to working collaboratively to preserve and retain its small-town charm.
Explain: The proposed MOU supports the vision by maintaining stability for the two-year period in a critical public safety function that is necessary to maintain a safe family-friendly community.
Explain how the Recommendation Directly Implements the Mission The City Council and Staff of the City of Gonzales will realize our Vision by providing the leadership, commitment and resources necessary to provide excellent services that enhance the quality of life of our diverse community. X Yes ___No ___ NA
Explain: Please see explanation above for the Vision.
City services will be delivered in a cost-effective, respectful and friendly manner to ensure the safety and well-being of the residents and the promotion of business, recreational, housing and employment opportunities in an environmentally sustainable manner. X Yes ___No NA Explain: Please see explanation above for the Vision
Strong fiscal reporting allows us to provide appropriate resources for:
• Public Safety X Yes No N/A
• Housing Yes No X N/A
• Recreation Yes No X N/A
• Environment X Yes No N/A
• Education Yes No X N/A
Explain: A stable organization is needed to ensure a high level of service necessary to promote public safety for the community and to maintain the City’s infrastructure.
ALTERNATIVES
The City Council has the authority to not approve the MOU and direct staff to continue negotiations with further policy direction. While this action is not recommended, should this occur, the existing employment practices would continue until an MOU is approved.
BUDGET IMPACT
The financial impact to the Budget for the life of the MOU is estimated to be about $25,000.
Approximately $16,000 will be in the current fiscal year and the balance in FY 2024-2025.
CONCLUSION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2023-61, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Authorizing the Execution of a Memorandum of Understanding Between the City of Gonzales and the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 5388, for the period covering January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2024.
Attachments:
1. Resolution No. 23-61