TITLE
Recommendation to adopt resolution amending the Fiscal Year 2020 Salary Resolution to revise the salary range for Public Safety Dispatcher I-IV, Communications Center Supervisor, Communications Center Coordinator, Public Health Nurse I-III, Public Health Nurse-NC, Public Health Nurse Supervisor, Registered Nurse I-II, Registered Nurse I-NC, Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Practitioner-NC, Licensed Vocational Nurse, Licensed Vocational Nurse-NC, and Ambulance Operator classifications. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
In accordance with the City Council instructions, approval is requested to amend the salary ranges, and add new skill pays, for multiple high-priority public safety classifications to address recruitment and retention issues for these positions. These classifications are represented by the International Association of Machinist and Aerospace Workers (IAM). To implement the salary adjustments and new skill pays, the City of Long Beach (City) engaged in the meet and confer process and reached agreement with IAM representatives.
City Management and IAM representatives held multiple negotiation sessions regarding the recruitment and retention issues of the nursing series, dispatch series and ambulance operator classifications who provide critical public safety services to the community. The Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Operations, Fire and Health Departments have had long-term recruitment and retention issues with these positions.
The proposed salary changes and new skill pays would be effective the first day of the first full pay period following City Council adoption. Consistent with City Council instructions, approval of the following recommended changes is requested:
Nursing Classifications
Amend the salary ranges for the Public Health Nurse I-III, Public Health Nurse-NC, Public Health Nurse Supervisor, Registered Nurse I-II, Registered Nurse I-NC, Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Practitioner-NC, Licensed Vocational Nurse, and Licensed Vocational Nurse-NC classifications. In accordance with the attached signed Letter of Intent between the City and IAM, the following table summarizes the salary changes for the nursing series classifications:
|
Classification |
Current Range |
Current Hourly Max |
New Hourly Max |
|
Public Health Nurse I |
570 |
$39.673 |
$45.624 |
|
Public Health Nurse II |
590 |
$41.708 |
$47.964 |
|
Public Health Nurse III |
610 |
$43.912 |
$50.499 |
|
Public Health Nurse-NC |
M68 |
$37.201 |
$42.781 |
|
Public Health Nurse Supervisor |
640 |
$47.401 |
$54.511 |
|
Registered Nurse I |
570 |
$39.673 |
$45.624 |
|
Registered Nurse II |
590 |
$41.708 |
$47.964 |
|
Registered Nurse I-NC |
M63 |
$35.332 |
$40.632 |
|
Nurse Practitioner |
670 |
$51.139 |
$58.810 |
|
Nurse Practitioner-NC |
M90 |
$44.427 |
$51.091 |
|
Licensed Vocational Nurse |
440 |
$28.587 |
$32.875 |
|
Licensed Vocational Nurse-NC |
M36 |
$26.828 |
$30.852 |
The recommended salary adjustments for the nursing series is to address ongoing recruitment and retention concerns with these public health classifications and to keep the positions’ wages aligned with the market. These nursing series classifications are in the Professional Basic and Supervisory bargaining units represented by IAM.
Public Safety Dispatch Classifications
Approve the proposed salary ranges and establish four new dispatching skill pays for Public Safety Dispatcher I-IV, Communications Center Supervisor, and Communications Center Coordinator classifications. In accordance with the attached signed Letter of Intent between the City and IAM, the following tables summarize the salary changes and new skill pays for the dispatch series classifications:
|
Classification |
Current Range |
Current Hourly Max |
New Hourly Max |
|
Public Safety Dispatcher I |
470 |
$30.849 |
$32.083 |
|
Public Safety Dispatcher II |
500 |
$33.287 |
$34.618 |
|
Public Safety Dispatcher III |
530 |
$35.855 |
$37.289 |
|
Public Safety Dispatcher IV |
560 |
$38.699 |
$40.247 |
|
Communications Center Supervisor |
590 |
$41.708 |
$43.376 |
|
Communications Center Coordinator |
630 |
$46.218 |
$48.067 |
|
Dual (Police & Fire) Incentive Skill Pay |
Amount |
|
Training - Entry Telephone (Call Taking) |
$0.75 |
|
Training - Entry Radio (Dispatching) |
$0.75 |
|
Certified Dual Telephone (Call Taking) |
$2.00 |
|
Certified Dual Telephone & Radio (Call Taking & Dispatching)* |
$4.00 |
*This skill pay is not stackable with any other skill pay in the Dual Incentive Skill Pay Series.
The recommended salary changes to the dispatch series of classifications is to keep the positions’ wages aligned with the regional market to address ongoing recruitment and retention concerns. The addition of the proposed new skill pays would streamline dispatch operations and create greater efficiencies by encouraging staff to be certified in telephone (call taking) and radio (dispatching) for both Police and Fire. These dispatch series classifications are in the Protection Basic and Supervisory bargaining units represented by IAM.
Ambulance Operator Classifications
Approve the proposed salary ranges for the Ambulance Operator job classification. In accordance with the attached signed Letter of Intent between the City and IAM, the following table summarizes the salary changes for the Ambulance Operator classification:
|
Classification |
Current Range |
Current Hourly Rate |
New Range |
New Hourly Rate |
|
Ambulance Operator |
P26 |
$13.000 |
P26 |
$15.600 |
|
Ambulance Operator |
P27 |
$13.220 |
P27 |
$15.864 |
|
Ambulance Operator |
P28 |
$13.750 |
P28 |
$16.500 |
|
Ambulance Operator-NC |
H26 |
$13.000 |
H26 |
$15.600 |
The recommended salary changes to the Ambulance Operator job classification is to keep the position’s wages aligned with the regional market and address ongoing recruitment and retention concerns. The Ambulance Operator classification is in the Protection Basic bargaining unit represented by IAM.
This matter was reviewed by Principal Deputy City Attorney Gary J. Anderson and by Budget Manager Grace H. Yoon on April 7, 2020.
STATEMENT OF URGENCY
With the possible postponement or cancellation of upcoming City Council meetings as a precautionary measure to COVID-19, City Council action is requested on April 14, 2020.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on April 14, 2020, to ensure timely implementation of the proposed ranges.
FISCAL IMPACT
As shown in the table below, the cost of the proposed salary range changes and for the addition of the new skill pays for FY 20 are estimated at $52,000 for the General Fund and $246,000 for All Funds assuming these changes are effective the first day of the first full pay period following City Council adoption. The FY 20 costs are expected to be funded from one-time sources, as the FY 20 budget has already been adopted. For the General Fund, if total one-time sources are not available for all the FY 20 one-time needs, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the City may need to draw down from the operating reserve. For FY 21, the ongoing annual cost is estimated to be $220,000 in the General Fund and $668,000 for All Funds. The City will include these costs into future projections and will make any necessary adjustments to incorporate these costs into the budget process.
This recommendation has no staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities. There is no local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
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Respectfully Submitted,
ALEJANDRINA BASQUEZ
HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
ACTING CITY MANAGER