Memorandum

City of Lawrence

City Manager’s Office

TO:	David L. Corliss, City Manager
FROM:	Diane Stoddard, Assistant City Manager
CC:	Cynthia Boecker, Assistant City Manager
Date:	August 3, 2009
RE:	Consideration of Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Lawrence and IAFF Local 1596

The City and the IAFF Local 1596 have successfully negotiated a new two-year agreement for 2010 and 2011. The members of the respective teams should be recognized for their hard work to date on this item. The negotiation team for the IAFF Local 1596 includes Mike McMillen, Nathan Coffman, Justin Temple, Aaron Payne and John Darling. The negotiation team for the City includes Diane Stoddard, Chief Mark Bradford, Division Chief Bill Stark, and Pam Madl, Douglas County.

The agreement with the IAFF Local 1596 was ratified by the IAFF Local 1596 membership on Saturday, August 1, 2009.

Background:

The agreement includes the following major elements/changes from this year’s agreement.

Compensation:

0.5% wage adjustment for 2010 plus the step merit program (up to 5% increase) for those who are eligible
A reopener discussion for 2011 wages during 2010

Longevity:

Language in the article that reflects that longevity is budgeted at the rate of $4 monthly for 2010, but emphasizes the City Commission’s discretion in funding longevity pay in 2010 and 2011 and provides funding level options for the City Commission’s consideration

Sick Leave:

Increase the accrual of sick leave from 5.6 to 9.908 hours per pay period for a shift employee and from 3.69 to 6.55 hours per pay period for non-shift employee

Peer Fitness Training Certification Program:

Language added to reflect that the City and Union agree that the IAFF and IAFC Fire Service Peer Fitness Training Certification Program would be beneficial to implement and help to improve the health and fitness of members of the Department; as funding and training priorities permit, the City will work toward the goal of implementing the program

Length of Agreement:

Two (2) years with a reopener to discussion compensation for 2011 during 2010

The City and the IAFF Local 1596 negotiating teams jointly recommend approval of the new agreement.

Requested Action:

Approve the 2010-2011 agreement with the IAFF Local 1596 and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the agreement.