HomeMy WebLinkAboutPR 14655: APPOINT A NEGOTIATING TEAM - COLLECTIVE BARGAINING (FIRE)CITY OF .PORT ARTHUR
1VIEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Stephen B. Fitzgibbons, City Manager o
DATE: Apri13, 2008
SUBJECT: Council Action Memorandum on Proposed Resolution No. 14655
.Appointing a Negotiating Team to Conduct Collective Bargaining
With I.A.F.F Loca1397 of the City of Port Arthur Fire Department
COMMENT
Recommendation:
I recommend that the City Council adopt Proposed Resolution No. 14655, which appoints
a negotiating .team to conduct collective bargaining with I.A.F.F. Local 397
representatives for the Port Arthur Fire Department.
Background:-
The City received written notice from the LA.F.F. Local 397 of their intent to engage in
collective bargaining regarding monetary and.non-monetary items for the fiscal year
beginning October 1, 2008.
Currently, we aze operating under a three yeaz contract with the LA.F.F. Local 397
covering the period October 1, 2005 through September 30, 2008.
Written notice of their intent to bazgain has been received (copies attached):
Budgetarv/Fiscal Effect: None:
Employee/Staff Impact: No.
Summary:
I recommend that the City Council adopt Proposed Resolution No. 14655, which appoints
a ,negotiating team to conduct collective bazgaining with .LA.F.F. Local 397
representatives.
P.R.14655
04/02/08 TMA
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION APPOINTING A NEGOTIATING TEAM PURSUANT
TO CHAPTER 174 OF THE TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE
ANNOTATED, TO CONDUCT COLLECTIVE BARGAINING WITH THE
BARGAINING AGENT OF I.A.F.F. LOCAL 397 OF.THE CITY OF PORT
ARTHUR FIRE DEPARTMENT
' BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT
ARTHUR, TEXAS:
THAT, pursuant to Chapter 174 of the Texas Local Government Code
Annotated, the following persons are hereby designated to conduct collective
bargaining on behalf of the City with represehtatives of I.A.F.F. Local 397, the
bargaining agent of the Fire Fighters of the Ciry of Port Arthur Fire Department:
City Manager, City Attorney, Assistant City Manager/Director of -Human
Resources, Fire Chief,•and Director of Firiance; and,
THAT, the City Manager is hereby authorized to designate a chief
spokesperson; and,
THAT, the City Manager is also hereby authorized to provide a suitable
place for the collective bargaining sessions, and. to provide such supporting Ciry
personnel as needed by the Ciry negotiation team; and,'
THAT, a copy of the caption of this Resolution be spread upon the
Minutes of the City Council.
READ, ADOPTED, -AND APPROVED on this day • of
A.D. , 2008, at a Regular Meeting of the Ciry Council of the City
of Port Arthur, Texas, by the following vote: AYES:
NOES:
P.R.14655
04/02/08 TMA
MAYOR
ATTEST:
City Secretary °
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
~~ ~u-~-' ' ~.
City Attorney
APPROVED FOR ADMINISTRATION:
City Manager
5
REAUD, MORGAN & QUINN, L.L.P.
Glen W. Morgan
Cris Quinn (1955-2002)
Curtis W. Leister
Mazy F. Bradford
Tom N. Kiehnhoff
John Werner
J. Trenton Bond
Chris Portner
Rodney G. Ellis
Of Counsel
LAWYERS
801 Laurel Street
P. O. Box 26005
Beaumont, Texas 77720-6005
April 1, 2008
Mayor Doloris "Bobbie' Prince
444 4th Street, Suite 408
Port Arthur, TX 77640
City Manager Stephen B. Fitzgibbons
444 4~ Street, Fourth Floor
Port Arthur, TX 77640
/ssistant City Manager
Harvey L. Robinson (Chief Negotiator)
444 4th Street, First Floor
Port Arthur, TX 77640
Wayne A. Reaud
Of Counsel
Phone (409) 838-1000
Fax (409)-833-8236
Via Hand Delivery
Via Hand Delivery
Via Hand Delivery
Dear Ms. Mayor, Mr. City Manager and Mr. Assistant City Manager:
In accordance with Section 174.107 of the Texas Local Government Code, this letter shall serve as
written notice by the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 397, of its request for
collective bargaining. This letter has been served at least 120 days before the date on which the
City of Port Arthur's current fiscal operating budget ends.
In accordance with Article 3, Section III of the current contact, the Association requests that the
City meet on Thursday, May 1 at 8:00 a.m. at amutually-agreeable location in order to commence
formal negotiations, on the subject of wages, compensation, pension, retirement plans, hours of
work, conditions of employment, and other provisions of the C Bargaining Agreement.
Also, the Association requests that the City provide two or three dates and two or three names of
potential mediators for a possible mediation in the mid-June time period. -While it is our hope that
a contract can be agreed upon before even seeking the- assistance of a neutral, Local Government
Code Section 174.153(a) requires that the pazties engage in "every reasonable effort, including
mediation," as part of the good-faith collective bargaining process.
City of Port Arthur
Re: Port Arthur Firefighters
April 1, 2008
Page 2
I will appreciate one of you, or alternatively your attorney, contacting me at your earliest possible
convenience to discuss these matters.
Very truly yours,
REAUD, MORGAN.& QUINN, LLP
JW/rlw
Werner
cc: Joe Pirtle
P.A. Firefighters Local 397