FY2009/2010 Negotiations

IAFF FY2009/2010 Contract Negotiations

Tenth Meeting - FINALIZED

August 27, 2008 - The meeting, held at 10:30 a.m. today at City Hall, will be the last meeting of contract negotiations for FY09 & FY10. We have reached a tentative agreement on all issues and is now worthy of a 2067 membership vote. The vote is scheduled for the shift days of September 8th, 9th, and 10th. Please take the time to review, ask questions of your negotiating team members, and talk amongst yourselves about the issues at hand. There will be available a "summary" of these proposed contract changes/additions soon. Look them over and make yourself available for the ballot box voting on the above dates. (Members ONLY Audio...)

• Today, while we do have a tentative contract agreement in hand, the following are generalized highlights of the meeting:
• The IAFF discussed its wage survey information.
• The IAFF proposed a wage offer of two (2) 4% ATB wage adjustments; one (1) 4% increase for each of the next two contract years, FY09 and FY10. The City accepted this proposal.
• The IAFF proposed an increase in EMT incentive pay to $70.00 for FY09 and an additional $30.00 per month increase in FY10; bringing the total EMT incentive pay, per month to $100.00 by July 1, 2009. The City accepted this proposal.

Again, the ballot box, ratification vote will be held on September 8th, 9th, and 10th. Proxy voting is allowed. Contact Secretary/Treasurer Dennis Mitchell for details if you will not be available on any of those dates to cast  your ballot. (FYE09 & FYE10 Tentative Agreement...)

---

Ninth Meeting

July 24, 2008 - Today's meeting showed some moderate progress in this years negotiations. Several outstanding propositions were either removed or signed as editions or additions to the current IAFF contract. Those items included:

• Article 26 - Promotional Procedures, Section 6, B to be added the following "...Source of testing material shall be published during the month of January of each calendar year and shall remain the source material for any promotional test given before April 1st of the following calendar year."
• Article 21 - To add/edit Sections 11 & 12 from other sections in the same Article 21.
• Article 24 - Injury Leave, Section 6 - reworded for clarification purposes.

Other actions or proposals included the following:

• The IAFF withdrew it's Article 21, Sick Leave in terms of "buyback" changes and hold the right to negotiate further at a later date.
• The IAFF re-proposes and lowers the request for Article 29, Incentive pay for EMT's from $106.00 to $100.00 per month.
• The IAFF lowers its recommendation for an ATB adjustment from 7.5% to 6.75%.

Other discussions revolved around wage survey's the City of Norman provided in their view of where the IAFF stands in relation to the "market". Both sides recognize this presentation was a "selected view" of matters and does not reflect directly the "selected view" of the IAFF nor of past arbitrators or wage comparisons.

Also discussed was Fire Administration's few on the current testing/selection process of union positions Assistant Fire Chief, Fire Marshall, and Fire Training Officer. Discussions are ongoing in order to protect the reviewable test results of those testing for those positions. The Union is pressing for a procedure that will allow an candidate selection list from a reviewable testing procedure. Candidates would have some idea where they could improve to test for future positions.

There is addition ongoing discussions in hopes of rendering a 'settlement' between the parties concerning wages. These are being considered by both sides at the present time. (Members ONLY Audio...)

The next scheduled meeting has been planned for Tuesday, August 19, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. - POSTPONED!

---

Eighth Meeting

June 25, 2008 - The meeting today was a reevaluation on where both sides were on our various issues to date. Over half of the issues brought to the table on the outset of negotiations have either been settled or tabled for future negotiations.

The IAFF will have several smaller outstanding issues for a response at the next meeting. A Negotiating Team meeting will be scheduled to further discuss these responses.

On the brightest side of today's meeting, was some strong movement in terms of two larger IAFF issues by the City of Norman. The City today had moved it's offer for our outdated EMT Incentive Pay from its current 15-cents an hour to $70.00/mo. In addition, movement was made in response to the IAFF's request for an ATB 7.5% by the City with a 3.25 ATB increase in base wages. (Members ONLY Audio...)

**NOTE: While an Arbitration date has yet to be determined, the selection has been made for the neutral arbitrator in any future proceeding dealing with this fiscal year negotiations. Ms. Joann Donovan of Dallas, TX has been selected. Attorney James Moore of Oklahoma City will be the representative for the IAFF while Tony Puckett represents the City of Norman. (Read Letter...)

The next scheduled meeting has been planned for Thursday, July 3, 2008 at 10:30 a.m.
The next scheduled meeting has been planned for Thursday, July 24, 2008 at 10:00 a.m.

---

Seventh Meeting

June 3, 2008 - After a quick update on the position of each side during this Fiscal Year Negotiations, the IAFF began by trimming its requests. As of this meeting, the IAFF has withdrawn its requested changes to both Article-29(A), Tuition Assistance and Article 21(A), Funeral Leave.

The IAFF also introduced reductions in changes to Article 25, Wages from its previous recommendation of an ATB wage increase of 8.0% to 7.5%. The IAFF also reduced the request on Article 29, EMT pay from $112/mo. to $106/mo.

The City of Norman introduced a three-option wage package increase to Article 25, Wages with the following proposal: "Option-A, Application of a 3% wage adjustment applied across the board with normal merit increases; or Option-B, Application of monies to the two top step splits of an additional 1/2% increase bringing both of the two top step splits from 2% to 2 1/2% for FY09 with the balance of a 3% wage adjustment cost applied across the board which amounts to approximately a 2.5% ATB with normal merit increases; or Option-C, Application of all wage increase monies to provide a 4.9% wage adjustment across the board while deferring any further merit increases until FYE2010."

UPDATE: The next scheduled negotiations meeting for Tuesday, June 10, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. has been postponed. However, a tentative date of Wednesday, June 25, 2008 at 10 a.m. remains slated. (Members ONLY Audio...)

---

Sixth Meeting

May 22, 2008 - Members are encouraged to keep up-to-date by listening to negotiations themselves. (Members ONLY Audio...)

Topics covered during this session included a response and clarification by the IAFF on the issues of Military Leave, Union Business, and Nepotism.

Also discussed at length was the history of Market Surveys & survey cities submitted by both sides in the past. To wit, the City of Norman submitted a "draft" proposal of a city survey seldom seen in past negotiations. In support of this weaker market survey, the City proposed an ATB of 2% for FY09. As a alternate, the City also proposed a 'plan-b' option of adding an additional 1/2% to each of the last two merit steps and an ATB of the remaining 1%.

In an effort to keep negotiations moving, the IAFF submitted in writing the request to invoke the arbitration process & the search for an arbitrator.

On the positive side, the City brought information relating to the reestablishment of future meetings with the group Employee/Employer Health Insurance Committee. This is good information for all. The City hopes to implement a restart to these group meetings within the next 30 days. The IAFF is looking forward to being an crucial part in the sharing of ideas and taking part in further understanding the current climate in health insurance relating to us as employees in a shared group.

The next scheduled meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 3, 2008 at 10:00 a.m.

---

Fifth Meeting

May 06, 2008 - While negotiations float along steadily with ample, open conversation and re-visitation of previous year talks, today's meeting begin to bring out the bulk of the matter. The highlight of the day stems from the City of Norman entering into discussion the possibility of a consultant-recommended, 7% premium increase.

Needless to say, the IAFF brought to the attention of City negotiators the failure to schedule the meeting of the "Insurance Committee" during the past would tend to have a souring effect on consideration of this issue. Especially when City Consultants, working in consult with the Committee tended to historically had a "understanding" effect to alter benefits or increase premiums for all employees.

Other items discussed were Article 21, Sick Leave (and subsequent Sick Leave Buy Back); Article 9, Nepotism; Article 29, Incentive Pay; and Article 20, Military Leave.

Members are encouraged to keep up-to-date by listening to negotiations themselves. (Members ONLY Audio...)

The Negotiating Team will also be holding a meeting with IAFF 2067 Union Lawyer Jim Moore on Monday, May 19th at 9:30 a.m. at the Mid-Town Plaza Conference room to discuss these negotiations.

---

Fourth Meeting

April 29, 2008 - While today's meeting covered a great deal of ground, revisiting the past few meetings to catch up where both sides left off, and reviewing past proposals from both sides, we were able to come to terms of several non-economic issues in terms of "contract cleanup language". The IAFF introduced, in general, their entire FY09 package including the introduction to economic demands. Members are encouraged to listen to these negotiations as the span of coverage was broad with general importance. (Members ONLY Audio...)

The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 6, 2008 in the Building "C" conference room.

---

Third Meeting

March 12, 2008 - The IAFF began the meeting with discussions regarding Article 29 - Incentive Pay and Article 21 - Sick Leave (Sick Leave Buy Back). Rank Restructure was also briefly outlined as a topic in which the IAFF remains waiting for the final draft from the Rank Restructure Committee. Little in terms of positive responses were heard from the City regarding those earlier topics. (Members ONLY Audio...)

The City of Norman bought the following to the table during this meeting for discussion:

1. Article #9 - In Reserve - Request that a 'Nepotism' clause be placed here.
2. Article #10 - Change language referencing an employees Social Security Number to the Employee's Employee number instead.
3. Article #14 - Overtime & Callback - Creation of a Section 6 referencing (40) hour employee's maximum accrual of comp-time along with the maximum accrual of comp-time else where written in the contract for (24) shift employees.
4. Article #16 - Removal of 'Department Head' in reference to "Performance Evaluations in Section 1.
5. Article #18 - Added language in Section 1 referring to (40) hour employee's holiday hours if not worked converted to comp hours.
6. Article #21 - Cleanup language pertaining to Sick Leave.
7. Article #22 - Cleanup language pertaining to Vacation Leave.
8. Article #24 - Added language to Section 6 pertaining to Injury on the Job Leave.
9. Article #29(A) - Responded to IAFF request for increased funds for Tuition Assistance with a limited increase in addition to adding additional language as a new Section 2.

The IAFF "Signed-off" as agreed to changes in Article 10, 16, and 22. The remainder will be further exploration and legal advice.

The next meeting is scheduled for March 25, 2008. Postponed.
The next meeting date is scheduled for April 9th at 10:00 a.m. Postponed.
The next meeting date is now April 29, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. (Also, May 6, 2008 & May 22, 2008 have been scheduled for additional meetings.)

---

 Second Meeting

February 25, 2008 - Today's meeting took off where the last meeting ended in terms of "introductory" and "cleanup" language in the City of Norman/IAFF contract. (Members ONLY Audio...)

The City of Norman brought the following adjustments for the Contract to the table:

1. "Preamble" - Repairing a grammatical error in relation to a repetitive line of text in the first paragraph.
2. "Article 7, Section 3" - Asking this section be placed into Article 2, at Section G instead.
3. "Article 20, Section 1-E & 1-G & Section 2-D" - To include additional language germane to newer Federal guidelines.
4. "Article 29, Section 4" - Added to include the basis for Appendix K, HAZMAT Incentive Pay as inclusive language only for this Article.

The City of Norman brought to consideration the possibility of requesting time-limits or goal-limits for discussion topics be considered.

The IAFF expanded the topic of increasing EMT incentive pay from $0.15/hour to $0.50/hour.

Next meeting to be held on March 12th at 10:00 a.m.

---

First (Ground Rules - Introductory) Meeting

February 14, 2008 - The IAFF Local 2067 met in this first meeting of the Fiscal 2009 Contract year with new City of Norman chief negotiator, Mike Bates from Tulsa. (Members ONLY Audio...)

Briefly discussed, for the benefit of Mr. Bates, was a recap of the negotiations history between our Local and the City of Norman. The IAFF also laid out in general terms the topics it plans to expound upon during talks this season; Promotional Procedures, Intermediate Ranks, Sick Leave Buy Back, Funeral Leave, Wages, EMT Incentive Pay, Tuition Assistance, Union Business Meetings, and other miscellaneous topics to be discussed later in negotiations.

Tentative dates were also set in anticipation of several upcoming meetings (Dates are times are subject to change):

1. February 26th at 1:00 p.m.February, 25th at 10:30 a.m.
2. March 12th at 10:00 a.m.
3. March 25th at 1:00 p.m.
4. April 9th at 10:00 a.m.
   

---

January 25, 2008 - City Manager, Steve Lewis, has responded to our intention to negotiate for FY09 with a letter indicating his intent to use retired Tulsa Labor Relations Manager and Human Resources Director, Mike Bates as the City's Chief Negotiator. (Read Letter...)

---

January 23, 2008 - Negotiations between the IAFF Local 2067 & the City of Norman for FY09 will kick off beginning at 10:30 a.m. on February 14, 2008 in the City of Norman, Multi-purpose room. The 2067 Negotiating Team will consist of:

• Butch Crawford
• Dennis Mitchell
• Leroy Lukinbill
• Tim McDermott
• Greg Skelly
• Paul Harvey
• Darryl Troupe
• Leon Ragland