Proposal:

Approve Memorandum of Understanding with the Teamsters Local 911

Synopsis:

Collective bargaining mediation discussions between AQMD management and representatives of Teamsters Local 911 resulted in a tentative contract agreement for the period February 14, 1997, through June 30, 1999. The tentative agreement has subsequently been ratified by the Technical and Enforcement and Office Clerical and Maintenance Bargaining Units. This action is to present the ratified agreement to the Board for its approval as a new multi-year labor contract covering Bargaining Unit members represented by Teamsters Local 911.

Committee:

Administrative, January 24, 1997

Recommended Action:

1. Authorize the AQMD Negotiator to sign the ratified Memorandum of Understanding between AQMD and Teamsters Local 911 covering employees in the Technical and Enforcement and Office Clerical and Maintenance Bargaining Units.

2. Appropriate from the Undesignated Fund Balance an additional $281,015 to the Salary and Employee Benefits Major Object to fund the additional costs under the new Memorandum Of Understanding for FY 1996-97.

James M. Lents, Ph.D.
Executive Officer

Background

On July 9, 1993, the Board approved a labor contract extension through June 30, 1995, for employees in AQMD's three Bargaining Units, which were, at that time, represented by the Federation of Public Sector Workers. The extension contained no provisions for salary or benefits increases and established unpaid furloughs in each of the two contract years. Subsequently, the Federation was replaced as the exclusive employee representative, by, in the case of the Professional Bargaining Unit, the San Bernardino Public Employees Association (SBPEA), and, in the case of the Technical and Enforcement and Office Clerical and Maintenance Bargaining Units, Teamsters Local 911. The Board approved a one-year, no-cost contract extension with SBPEA through June 30, 1996. The Office Clerical and Maintenance and Technical and Enforcement Units have been without a current contract since July 1, 1995.

On June 12, 1996, negotiations were initiated between AQMD and Teamsters Local 911. After five months of intensive negotiation failed to produce agreement, the parties jointly declared negotiations to be at impasse. As required under provisions of AQMD’s Employee Relations Resolution, an impartial third-party mediator was called in to assist in reconciling remaining disputes. The mediation process resulted in a tentative agreement on a contract, which was subsequently ratified by both Bargaining Units on January 29, 1997.

Proposal

The union-ratified agreement, which would extend through June 30, 1999, includes the following changes from the previous contract:

1. AQMD vehicles to be assigned solely at management’s discretion and not based on an employee’s job classification, with a one-time transition allowance of $3000 (paid initially over two fiscal years) for those who lose permanently assigned vehicles during the term of the contract
2. Cost-of-living increases of 2% on February 24, 1997, July 28, 1997, and July 13, 1998
3. Contract reopening provision to permit discussion of cost-saving options in the event of a financial crisis
4. Layoff notifications to be provided 30 days before action taken and layoff order to be based on combination of length of service and performance rating
5. Limit on paid time off for jury service to 8 days (two 4-day work weeks) per year
6. An increase in tuition reimbursement from $1,000 to $1,250 per year
7. Increase of probationary period for new employees from 6 months to 1 year
8. Bargaining unit members to pay union dues or contribute to one of four designated charities
9. Annual sick leave increase from 96 to 100 hours (ten 10-hour days)
10. Streamlined grievance process for administrative grievances
11. Health insurance benefit coverage for domestic partners and their children
12. Hazard pay increase from $10 to $20 per day for airborne hazardous materials incident emergency response
13. Safety shoe allowance option: choice of $80 per year, or a single expenditure of up to $125 every two years
14. One-year trial period for a paid one-day, union-sponsored training session for union stewards, with management participation permitted
15. Establishment of catastrophic leave fund, funded by employee donations, for use by employees who exhaust their own leave due to a personal or family emergency
16. Establishment of labor-management committees to recommend insurance benefit options and a telecommuting policy
17. Requirement for union to file annual financial statement

Staff believes this negotiated agreement makes adjustments that keep AQMD in line with its labor market competitors and provides management important tools to maintain efficiency of operations during financially uncertain times.

Resource Impacts

The cost of this multi-year agreement, extending over three fiscal years, is $2,171,696, for an average cost per fiscal year of $723,899.

Attachment

Memorandum of Understanding

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