BOARD MEETING DATE: March 1, 2002
AGENDA NO. 45

Approve Memorandum of Understanding with SCAQMD Professional Employees Association

SYNOPSIS:

AQMD management and representatives of SCAQMD Professional Employees Association (SC-PEA), representing the Professional Bargaining Unit, have reached agreement on a labor contract for the period July 1, 2002, through June 30, 2005, which has been ratified by bargaining unit members. This action is to present the ratified agreement to the Board for approval as a new three-year memorandum of understanding.

COMMITTEE:

Not applicable

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Authorize AQMD’s negotiator to sign the ratified Memorandum of Understanding between AQMD and SC-PEA, covering employees in the Professional Bargaining Unit

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

On October 8, 1999, the Board approved a labor contract through June 30, 2002, for the Professional Bargaining Unit, represented by SC-PEA. Management’s recent negotiations with the current bargaining unit representatives for a successor agreement have resulted in a three-year labor agreement that has been ratified by SC-PEA bargaining unit employees.

Proposal

The union-ratified agreement, which would extend through June 30, 2005, includes the following changes from the previous contract:

1. Cost-of-living salary adjustments of 3% on July 8, 2002; 3% on July 7, 2003; and 2% on July 5, 2004
   
    
2. Adjustments in AQMD’s monthly contribution toward health insurance premiums by 18% the first year, 15% the second year, and 10% the third year, to keep pace with escalating medical costs
   
    
3. A cafeteria benefits plan that permits reimbursement to employees of any unused portion of the District’s monthly health insurance contribution that remains after required premiums have been paid, and that makes selection of vision insurance optional
   
    
4. A provision requiring professional employees hired after June 30, 2002, to become dues-paying members of SC-PEA, but allowing those who currently contribute an equivalent amount to a charity to continue to do so
   
    
5. New deadlines, with defaults to the next step of the process, to ensure grievances and disciplinary appeals are handled expeditiously, and an optional 8-hour maximum mediation step that must be agreed to by both AQMD and the bargaining unit representative
   
    
6. Posted lists of candidates eligible for appointment to positions would include identification of the cutoff score and the number of candidates who participated in the process, with the provision that cutoff scores are determined solely at the discretion of management and may not be the subject of a grievance

Staff believes this negotiated agreement addresses SC-PEA-represented bargaining unit issues in ways that will improve employee morale and maintain management’s ability to conduct efficient operations, as well as effecting adjustments that will keep AQMD competitive in its labor market.

Resource Impacts

The three-year cost of this agreement is approximately $5,861,000.

Attachment

Memorandum of Understanding

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