CONSENT CALENDAR
City of San Bernardino
Request for Council Action
Date: February 21, 2025
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
From: Tanya Romo, Acting City Manager; Andrea Russell, Director of Human Resources
Department: Human Resources
Subject: Professional Services Agreement with Robert Windle for Labor Negotiations Consultation (All Wards)
Recommendation:
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California, authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute a Professional Services Agreement with Robert Windle for labor negotiations consultation services.
Executive Summary
In an effort to assist the City in achieving its fiscal, strategic, and operational goals in the collective bargaining process, the Acting City Manager would like to engage with Mr. Robert (”Bob”) Windle, a seasoned labor professional, to act as the Chief Labor Negotiator in negotiating successor Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) for the following employee bargaining groups:
•General Unit (Teamsters Local 1932)
•Management Confidential Group (SBCMA)
•Mid Management Unit (Teamsters Local 1932)
•Police Dispatch Unit (SBPDA)
•Police Management Unit (PMA)
•Police Safety Unit (SBPOA)
•San Bernardino Police Civilian Association (AFSCME Local 4710) Background
The current MOUs with the City’s bargaining units are set to expire on June 30, 2025. Mr. Windle will serve as the Chief Negotiator reporting directly to the City Council and working closely with the City Attorney, Human Resources & Risk Management Department, and Administrative staff in collective bargaining for successor labor agreements.
The Chief Negotiator will:
•Meet with City Administration and staff on an on-going basis to review and develop bargaining priorities, positions, and objectives and make recommendations.
•Prepare bargaining proposals and develop negotiation strategies. •Research and analyze bargaining proposals and costs.
•Work closely with City Finance staff to determine the cost of proposals and counterproposals.
•Conduct surveys in conjunction with City staff, as necessary. •Review market trends, comparative data, and bargaining settlements. •Attend all bargaining sessions.
•Participate in dispute resolution processes, if necessary. •Attend closed sessions bi-weekly.
•Finalize MOUs for approval.
Discussion
Staff believes Mr. Windle will provide outstanding services as the Chief Labor Negotiator. He possesses a Master’s degree in Labor and Human Resources and has over 34 years of governmental labor and human resources experience. Mr. Windle has performed related consulting services in over 40 governmental agencies and jurisdictions and has also served as a human resources and labor relations director/executive for one of the largest County’s in the State of California. He has successfully negotiated over 175 collective bargaining agreements. 2021-2025 Strategic Targets and Goals
Authorizing the City Manager, or designee, to execute a PSA with Bob Windle aligns with Key Strategic Goal 2. Focused, Aligned Leadership and Unified Community by building a culture that attracts, retains, and motivates the highest quality talent.
Fiscal Impact
The total fiscal impact is $100,000. There is sufficient funding in the department’s FY 2024/25 Professional Contractual Services budget for this agreement.
Conclusion
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California, authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute a Professional Services Agreement with Robert Windle for labor negotiations consultation services.
Attachments
Attachment 1 – Professional Services Agreement
Ward:
All Wards
Synopsis of Previous Council Actions:
N/A