Administrative
Report
H.19., File # 23-6259 Meeting Date: 6/20/2023
To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: DIANE STRICKFADEN, DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES
TITLE
APPROVE A SIDE LETTER AGREEMENT AMENDING THE JULY 1, 2020 TO JUNE 30, 2024 MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE REDONDO BEACH FIREFIGHTERS’
ASSOCIATION AND THE CITY OF REDONDO BEACH, RECOGNIZING THE FIRE DIVISION CHIEF JOB CLASSIFICATION AS REPRESENTED BY THE REDONDO BEACH FIREFIGHTERS’
ASSOCIATION REGARDING ALL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
For many years, the Division Chiefs in the Fire Department have been unrepresented, and designated as part of the Management and Confidential bargaining unit. The City’s three Fire Division Chiefs submitted a letter to the City, requesting to be represented exclusively by the Redondo Beach Firefighters’ Association (RBFA).
The purpose of this side letter is to provide the Division Chiefs recognition as represented by the RBFA prior to the end of the current Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which is set to expire in June 2024. The City has met and conferred with the RBFA regarding the terms of the side letter, and both parties have agreed to their implementation.
BACKGROUND
In early 2023, the City’s three Fire Division Chiefs submitted a letter to the City, requesting to be represented exclusively by the Redondo Beach Firefighters’ Association (RBFA), regarding all terms and conditions of employment. In California, under the Meyers Milias Brown Act (MMBA), a government entity must recognize any employee group petition for recognition that a majority of the proposed group has requested. For many years, the Fire Division Chiefs have been unrepresented, and designated as part of the Management and Confidential bargaining unit. However, at this time, both 100% of the City’s Division Chiefs and the RBFA wish to incorporate them into the RBFA bargaining unit.
The current Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the RBFA and the City doesn’t expire until June 2024. Therefore, the purpose of this side letter is solely to provide the Division Chiefs recognition as represented by the RBFA, and subject to the RBFA MOU grievance procedure. This recognition will become effective upon adoption of the side letter. Until a new RBFA MOU is negotiated, the Fire Division Chief pay and benefits will continue as established in the current Management and Confidential Pay Plan.
The Division Chiefs and RBFA have agreed to negotiate and implement any updates to pay and
H.19., File # 23-6259 Meeting Date: 6/20/2023
The Division Chiefs and RBFA have agreed to negotiate and implement any updates to pay and benefits for the Division Chiefs during the normal course of negotiations for the next RBFA MOU.
The City has met and conferred with the RBFA regarding the terms of the side letter, and both parties have agreed to their implementation.
COORDINATION
The side letter was prepared by the Human Resources Department in cooperation with the City Attorney’s Office.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this item.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
· Side Letter - Amending the July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2024 Memorandum of Understanding between the Redondo Beach Firefighters’ Association and the City of Redondo Beach · Email - Request from Fire Division Chiefs to be Represented by the Redondo Beach Firefighters’ Association, October 20, 2022