HomeMy WebLinkAboutPO 7179: APPROVING A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT, INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIRE FIGHTERS LOCAL 397 C&ty
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To: Mr. Ron Burton, City Manager DATE: Sept. 25, 2023
From: Dr. Albert Thigpen, Assistant City Manager--Administration
Re: Adoption of Proposed Ordinance No. 7179 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF PORT
ARTHUR AND THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIRE FIGHTERS
LOCAL 397 EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2023 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30,
2024.
Comment
Recommendation:
It is recommended the City Council of the City of Port Arthur adopt Proposed
Ordinance No. 7179 which approves the collective bargaining agreement between
the City of Port Arthur and the International Association of Fire Fighters Local
397.
Background:
The City of Port Arthur is a "civil service" municipality which engages in collective
bargaining with recognized bargaining units pursuant to Local Government Code Chapter
174. Collective bargaining covers compensation and other conditions of employment.
The negotiating team approved by City Council and the representatives of the International
Association of Fire Fighters Local 397 engaged in good faith bargaining beginning on May
24, 2023;reaching tentative agreement on September 5, 2023. The tentative agreement was
ratified by vote of the bargaining unit and the formal letter indicating ratification was
provided on September 26, 2023.
Although, the Collective Bargaining Agreement is substantially "status quo", there were
changes which we would like to note:
0 The duration of the contract is one year. [Article 3]
0 The contract provides that approval of requests for emergency holidays, scheduled
holidays, shift exchanges or similar requests be approved by the"Shift" Battalion Chief.
[Articles 8, 10, 18]
0 The contract provides that employees who experience serious injury,takes a life,or
seriously injures another person, or other job related trauma will undergo debriefing with a
City approved psychologist with a specialty in Emergency Service"is available".
[Article 19]
0 The contract provides clarifying definitions for terms such FLSA,On Call, Overtime,
Texas Commission on Fire Protection and Texas Department of State Health Services.
[Article 1]
OThe contract includes a section entitled Non-Discrimination prohibiting discrimination.
[Article 5]
OThe contract provides for Death in Family leave in the event of the death of grandchild.
[Article 9] Note:It is the intention of the City to provide this change for all employees.
OThe contract provides for an increase from $40.00/month to $50.00 per month for
individuals assigned to the high angle and confined space rescue teams. [Article 22]
OThe contract provides there shall be at least four(4)qualified divers at dive operations.
[Article 22] Note: This change puts the contract in agreement with the actual operating
procedures of the department.
OThe contract provides for an increase of the Certification Pay for
Advanced Emergency Medical Technician(AEMT)changes from $100 to $150.
Emergency Medical Technician Paramedic(EMT-P)changes from$150 to$200.
[Article 23] Note: These changes are in line with the mutual goal of increasing the City's
ability to provide aid in emergency medical response situations.
OThe contract provides for a 3%increase for members which was included in the 2023-24
budget. It also included 5 and 10 year steps for all ranks. [Article 30] Note: the addition of
the 5 and 10 year steps are part of the mutual goal to retain experienced and well trained
departmental personnel.
0 The contract adds Article 42 addressing Workplace Violence.
OThe contract has corrections of minor typographical errors
Budgetary/Fiscal Effect:
The anticipated budgetary impacts are as follows:
• 3% increase $ 370,000.00
• High Angle/Confined Space Specialty Pay $ 5,280.00
• Advanced Emergency Med, Tech. $ 26,400.00
• Emergency Medical Technician $ 1,200.00
Total $ 402,880.00
Funds are available, and budgeted, in the Fire Department 2023-2024 budget.
Staffing/Employee Effect:
There are no direct impacts on staffing levels; however, as noted above the
addition of the 5 and 10 year steps across the ranks should promote retention of
our seasoned and well trained civil service Fire Department staff.
Summary:
It is recommended the City Council of the City of Port Arthur adopt Proposed
Ordinance No. 7179 which approves the collective bargaining agreement between
the City of Port Arthur and the International Association of Fire Fighters Local
397.
"Remember, we are here to serve the citizens of Port Arthur."
P.O. No. 7179
09/15/23 ht
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR AND THE
INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIRE FIGHTERS LOCAL 397;
EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2023 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2024.
WHEREAS, the City of Port Arthur and the International Association of Fire
Fighters Local 397 pursuant to Chapter 174 of the Texas Local Government Code began
the collective bargaining process on May 24, 2023; and,
WHEREAS, the parties have bargained in good faith reaching tentative agreement
on September 5, 2023; and,
WHEREAS, the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 397 members
ratified the tentative agreement by vote as shown by Exhibit "A" hereto; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Port Arthur has negotiated a Collective Bargaining
Agreement with the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 397 pursuant to
Chapter 174 of the Texas Local Government Code Annotated, the Fire and Police
Employees Relation Act.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF PORT ARTHUR:
Section 1. That the facts and opinions in the preamble are true and correct.
Section 2. That the Mayor and City Manager are hereby authorized to execute
said Collective Bargaining Agreement on behalf of the City in substantially the same form
as attached hereto as Exhibit "B".
Section 3. That the effective date of the contract shall be October 1, 2023
through September 30, 2024.
Section 4. That a copy of the caption of this Ordinance be spread upon the
Minutes of the City Council.
READ, ADOPTED, AND APPROVED on this day of , A.D., 2023, at a
Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Port Arthur, Texas, by the following vote:
AYES:
Mayor:
Councilmembers:
•
NOES:
Hon. Thurman Bill Bartie, Mayor
ATTEST:
Sherri Bellard, TRMC
City Secretary
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Valecia Tizeno, Esq.
City Attorney
APPROVED FOR AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS:
‘1A/*
Kandy Daniel,D ni l,
Director of Finance
APPROVED FOR ADMINISTRATION:
Ron Burton, CPM
City Manager
EXHIBIT "A"
WILL BE PRESENTED AT OR BEFORE THE
COUNCIL MEETING