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BISBEE — The city and two unions, representing police and firefighters, signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday covering such items such as benefits and training.
City Manager Stephen Pauken described the memorandum as something akin to a union contract.
The city signed them with representatives of Bisbee Police Officers Association, Arizona Conference of Police and Sheriffs, and Bisbee Firefighters Local 2146.
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The MOUs were signed by Mayor Ron Oertle, Police Chief J.M. Elkins, City Attorney John MacKinnon and Clerk Helen Lehr.
Signing for the BPOA were Steve Gardner, president and Brian Swan, vice president, while Jason Steinberg, BFFA president and Chris Escarcega BFFA vice president, signed for the firefighters. The agreement for both unions went into effect on July 1.
Escarcega said his organization was “extremely pleased” to have signed the agreement, basically “without a hitch.”
“It’s been a great experience, and is a huge rush of revitalization” for members, he said.
Neither Gardner nor Swan could not be reached for comment on Tuesday.
Pauken said Monday’s agreement stemmed from the City Council’s decision last year to recognize three employee unions with members working for the city.
Because Arizona is not a collective bargaining state, the city gave direction through an ordinance passed last year that allows officials to “meet and confer” with the unions, and that resulted in the MOU.
The agreement lasts two years, said Pauken, who added the city will continue to discuss issues with the groups.
The city still is discussing an agreement with the third union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, which represents 17 city workers.
According to drafts provided by the city, memorandums cover such areas as:
— Basic rights: The city will provide a designated space for BFFA and BPOA bulletin boards in their respective offices, which will allow members to keep abreast of union meetings, related news bulletins. The city also will agree to deduct membership dues from salaries from BFFA or BPOA members.
— Dispute resolution: If issues arise from the agreement, the city and either union may meet to discuss them.
— Work hours: For fire department members, the regular work period will be 212 hours in a 28-day period. For police department employees, a regular work period will be 40 hours in seven days. If an employee is on what is known as “light duty” status, that does not guarantee specific hours or days off.
— Severability (or obligations): Should a court determine any provision of the agreement invalid or illegal, that provision will be severed from the agreement.
— Overtime: Employees who have worked in excess of their shift, will be compensated at 1.5 times the employee’s regular rate of pay.
— Holidays: Employees required to work on a holiday will receive twice the regular rate of pay. If the holiday falls on a regularly scheduled day off, an employee will receive an extra day’s compensation
— Call-out policy: Police department employees called back to work during an off-duty period, will receive a minimum of three hours of compensation for each time called out or actual hours worked. Fire department employees will receive a minimum of five hours.
— Clothing/equipment allowance: Firefighters required to wear uniforms will receive a $750 allowance per fiscal year. Certified law enforcement officers will receive a $1,200 allowance each year. Humane officers will receive a $600 allowance per year, while employees who work in communications officer, secretary, records custodian or administrative assistant will be provided three polo shirts.
— Compensation and benefits: Union members in both departments will receive a 2 percent pay increase for between five to 10 years of service, a 3 percent increase for 10 to 15 years, a 4 percent increase for 15 to 20 years, a 5 percent increase for 20 to 25 years and 6 percent increase for 25 to 30 years. For police union members, the city has included in its 2006-07 budget an additional sum of $60,000 to address salary issues within the department.
— Additional pay for emergency paramedic certification for firefighters, in the amount of $1 per hour about their designated salaries.
— Shift differential pay (for police officers).
— Ongoing training, which the city and BFFA agree “is both necessary and appropriate for all subject employees.”
— Police officer equipment: All officers will receive Tasers, gun racks and locks will be installed in the front passenger compartment area of each marked vehicle and the city will pursue grant funding to better improve radio equipment quality
— Reimbursement for employees who attend accredited courses.
HERALD/REVIEW reporter Karen Weil can be reached at 515-4692 or by e-mail at karen.weil@svherald.com.
Tony P wrote on Nov 25, 2008 12:24 AM: