Agenda Item Wording:
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Approve Tentative Agreements - 1)Authorize the City Manager to execute the Memorandum of Understanding by and between the City of Visalia and Miscellaneous Supervisors and Managers (Group E) for the period of July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027; 2) Authorize the City Manager to execute the Memorandum of Understanding by and between the City of Visalia and Miscellaneous Employees (Group M) for the period of July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027; 3) Authorize changes to terms and conditions of employment by and between the City of Visalia and employees in the Unrepresented Confidential and Department Head groups.
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Deadline for Action: 5/20/2024
Submitting Department: Administration
Contact Name and Phone Number: Michelle Speer, x4053; Diane Davis, x4575
Department Recommendation:
It is recommended that the City Council approve the tentative agreements with City Bargaining Groups E and M and authorize the City Manager to execute the associated Memoranda of Understanding; and that City Council approve changes to terms and conditions of employment as indicated below for Unrepresented Confidential and Department Head groups.
Background Discussion:
City labor relations staff has been negotiating successor Memorandums of Understanding with all five of its represented bargaining groups. Additionally, staff has also met with the unrepresented Confidential and the unrepresented Department Head Groups. The City reached tentative agreement with Group E and Group M and has met with members of the unrepresented groups to discuss their requests. Staff asks City Council to authorize approval of the Group E and Group M MOU changes and authorize changes to terms and conditions for the unrepresented groups as indicated below. (Tentative agreements for Groups E and M are attached.)
Group E - Miscellaneous Supervisors and Managers
1. 3-year term
2. Salary increases of 6% in 2024, 4% in 2025, and 2% with an additional 2% (4% total) in 2026 if sales tax milestones are met.
3. Longevity pay of 2% at 5, 10, 15 and 20 years of all full time service with the City of Visalia.
4. Modification of Section 2: Overtime to include a new subsection, D, granting eight (8) hours of compensatory time for non-exempt members of the unit in January of each year. The modification is to clearly document an existing practice that is not documented in the current MOU.
5. Modification of the discipline policy, #116, for additional of Administrative Hearing Procedure language.
Group M - Miscellaneous Employees
1. 3-year term
2. Salary increases of 6% in 2024, 4% in 2025, and 2% with an additional 2% (4% total) in 2026 if sales tax milestones are met.
3. Longevity pay of 2% at 5, 10, 15 and 20 years of all full time service with the City of Visalia.
4. Modification of language related to payout of floating holiday hours.
5. Annual boot allowance of $300/year.
6. Modification of the discipline policy, #116, for additional of Administrative Hearing Procedure language.
7. Clarification of call-back time to be compensated at time and one-half of regular salary.
8. Modification of call back language to restrict eligibility for call back for days when the employee takes leave for a full shift.
It should be noted that as of publication of the agenda, Group M has not yet completed the ratification vote to approve the tentative agreement; however, all voting will be concluded prior to the start of the City Council regular session on May 20, 2024. If the group does not ratify the agreement prior to the start of the meeting, staff will request that approval of the Group M tentative agreement be removed from consideration.
Confidential
1. Salary increases of 6% in 2024, 4% in 2025, and 2% with an additional 2% (4% total) in 2026 if sales tax milestones are met.
2. Longevity pay at 2.0% of salary at 5, 10, 15, 20 years of COV full-time service (max 8%) for all classifications with the exception of Police Captain. Police captains shall receive longevity pay at 2.5% of base salary at 5, 10, 15, and 20 years of service (max 10%).
3. Increase in Battalion Chief shift coverage pay from $1,000 to $1,250 per shift of 12 -24 hours; increase from $500 to $625 per shift of 6-12 hours.
Department Head
1. Salary increases of 6% in 2024, 4% in 2025, and 2% with an additional 2% (4% total) in 2026 if sales tax milestones are met.
2. Experience Incentive:
a. 2% at 5, 10, 15, and 20 years of relevant experience, at the discretion of the CM, for all position except the Police Chief
b. 2.5% at 5, 10, 15 and 20 years of relevant experience, at the discretion of the CM, for the Police Chief
3. Section 7: Severance Pay
a. Request that the terms be changed to read:
“When the City of Visalia terminates the employment of a Department Head without cause; and the Department Head has been employed by the City of Visalia for at least two (2) years; and the Department Head leaves in good standing; and the Department Head signs a Waiver and Release of Claims, the Department Head will be eligible to receive Severance Pay equal to three (3) months base salary. In addition and provided the former employee wishes to maintain their Medical, Dental and Vision health benefits (“Benefits”) through COBRA, for up to and not exceeding six (6) months immediately following separation and provided the former employee is not eligible for Benefits elsewhere, the City shall make contributions directly to the former employee in and for their monthly Benefits COBRA premiums in an amount equal to that required to maintain Benefits in place at the time of separation. During this six-month period, the former employee shall promptly notify the City if: (1) they obtain employment elsewhere; and/or (2) they become eligible for Benefits through a source other than COBRA. If the former employee chooses to continue participating in COBRA beyond the six (6) months immediately following their separation, the former employee will be responsible for the entire COBRA premium and any COBRA administrative fees.
4. Sick leave modification to allow for use of accrued sick leave for personal or immediate family illness/emergencies. This is already in practice, and the language modification is to bring the benefit summary into compliance with said practice.
Fiscal Impact:
The value of the 6% increase in year one for the four groups listed is approximately $1,904,600, across all funds. The value of longevity for the four groups listed (in year one) is approximately $1,127,500, across all funds.
Prior Council Action: Closed session 3/4/2024, 3/18/2024, 4/01/2024, and 4/15/2024 and 5/6/2024
Alternatives: N/A
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to authorize the City Manager to execute the Memorandum of Understanding by and between the City of Visalia and bargaining groups E and M for the period of July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2027, and authorize changes in terms and conditions for unrepresented employees for the same time period.
Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
Attachments: Group M and Group E Tentative Agreements