Summary The City Collective Bargaining Team of Compliance and Risk Management Director G.B. Wilson, Police Chief Chad Scott and H.R. Manager Casandra Sanjurjo held the first FY 2015-16 Bargaining Session with FOP team members Leah Hayes, Michael Mareska and APD Officer Chad Howell on June 9, 2015. The City submitted an Article 26-Wages Proposal, Article 30- Promotion to Sergeant Proposal and an exhibit (attached) outlining the Job Description of Police Officer I, Police Officer II and a new rank of Police Officer III. The City proposals were discussed together with an Article 17 increase in educational assistance proposed by the FOP. A productive and congenial session was held and there was Tentative Agreement to the proposals made by the City concerning Promotion to Sergeant, Police Officer I, II and III job descriptions and the FOP proposed $5,000 annual increase in educational reimbursement.
The Second Session was scheduled and held on July 21, 2015 with the same team members present . Articles 4-Management Rights, 11-Internal Investigations, 13-Discipline Rules and Regulations, 20-Equipment, 21-Hours of Work and Overtime, 26-Wages, 30-Promotion to Sergeant, 34-Contract Format and the one year term of the agreement were considered and carried forward to the third meeting scheduled for 9-8-15.
The scheduled Third Session was held on 9-8-15 with all three members of both bargaining teams present. The City announced the City Manager's Proposed FY 15-16 City Budget included a 3% across the board Cost of Living Adjustment for all employees including those in the bargaining unit. The FOP announced, after consideration and discussion, all open articles will be agreed to as written as or as previously submitted and proposed by the City if the 3% COLA is approved by the City Commission and acceptable language is offered by the City to replace Sec. 30.6 to accomplish alerting members of open lateral APD transfer opportunities so all interested members can ask for consideration. Tentative Agreement was acknowledged by the City and FOP representatives to the jointly proposed global resolution and settlement of all remaining issues. A joint motion to adjourn was approved pending the outcome of the 9-14-15 scheduled First Reading of the FY 15-16 City Budget before the City Commission.
The City budget was approved on first reading on 9-14-15 and the City and FOP exchanged red line/strike through copies of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (Attached). The final version of the Agreement was, as agreed at the Third Session, accepted by both parties and the FOP scheduled a Bargaining Unit vote on Ratification for 9-15 and 9-16 and a Counting of the Vote for 6:30 pm on 9-16-15.
The Voting and Counting of the Bargaining Unit Vote were held as scheduled and the unit Ratified the Agreement by a vote of 16 yes and 3 no. The proposed contract was executed by the FOP Bargaining Agent, the next day by the City Manager and is herewith presented to the City Commission with a recommendation to Ratify. | | |