TITLE
Recommendation to adopt Memorandum of Understanding with the Long Beach Firefighters Association; and
Adopt resolution allowing these compensation matters to be implemented on the effective dates set forth in the Memorandum of Understanding. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
Since October of 2007, City management representatives and representatives of the Long Beach Firefighters Association (LBFFA) have had numerous meet and confer sessions regarding changes in wages, hours and working conditions. Meetings have been concluded and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been jointly executed with the LBFFA. City Council approval is now necessary to adopt the MOU that covers wages, benefits and other terms and conditions of employment from January 1, 2008 through September 30, 2013. In order to implement all the compensation matters as provided in the MOU it is necessary for the City Council to adopt the attached Resolution prepared by the City Attorney. The Salary Resolution and any other documents as may be necessary to conform to the MOU provisions will be transmitted for approval at a later date.
As a result of an intensive data gathering effort conducted in conjunction with negotiations, it was determined that Long Beach Firefighters are the lowest compensated among comparable agencies in the region, despite the fact that Long Beach has some of the highest emergency call volumes and most highly trained Firefighters. All firefighter classifications surveyed ranked 11th out of 11 agencies (see Appendix B in the LBFFA attached MOU). The proposed long-term agreement attempts to address compensation challenges over a five-and-a-half year period, with the goal of maintaining and attracting a well-qualified work force to deliver critical emergency services. The proposed agreement provides varying adjustments by rank with the goal of bringing members of the LBFFA to the middle of a comparable group of agencies by October 2011. In addition, the agreement provides incentives to improve workforce productivity and lower City costs.
The long-term approach agreed to by the LBFFA will enable the City to effectively plan for, predict and budget for its fire department employees and ensure compensation decisions are made based upon each classification's place in the market. In addition, the City will pay Firefighters assigned to special programs requiring a high degree oftraining, skill pays similar to those paid in other agencies in the region. These programs include Urban Search and Rescue, Hazardous Materials, Fire Prevention and the Airport.
These items were reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Christina L. Checel and Budget Management Bureau Manager David Wodynski on May 1,2008.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council Action is requested on May 6,2008 to ensure the timely implementation of the MOU provisions.
FISCAL IMPACT
The estimated cost of this MOU to the General Fund for Fiscal Year 2008 is $1.8 million, and $678,913 to all other funds, which will be supported by current year budget savings. The estimated cost for Fiscal Year 2009 is $2.4 million to the General Fund and $808,328 to all other funds, which will be included in the Fiscal Year 2009 Budget. The average incremental cost for each fiscal year of the MOU is $2.3 million to the General Fund and $589,000 to all other funds.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LONG BEACH APPROVING THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE LONG BEACH FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION, AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE SUCH AMENDMENT AND DIRECTING CERTAIN IMPLEMENTING AND RELATED ACTIONS
Respectfully Submitted,
SUZANNE R. MASON
DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES
NAME |
APPROVED: |
TITLE |
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PATRICK H. WEST |
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CITY MANAGER |