FY2011 Negotiations

IAFF FY2011 Contract Negotiations

September 2, 2010 - The IAFF and the City of Norman will take another stab at negotiating the upcoming year, FY 2011 Contract on September 17, 2010 at City Hall. The session will begin at 1:30 p.m.

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August 19, 2010 - A confirmation date(s) of October 14th & 15th, 2010 have been selected for the hearing in matter of Interest Arbitration. (Confirmation of hearing...)

Jun 21, 2010 - Steven A. Zimmerman has been selected by both the IAFF and the City of Norman to be the neutral member of a three member arbitration panel. The IAFF Arbitrator is Jim Keese while the Arbitrator for the City of Norman is Ambre Gooch. The date of the upcoming arbitration is being scheduled. (Letter to Mr. Zimmerman concerning our pending case...)

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June 7, 2010 - Today's session entailed a recap of previously held positions. The IAFF reiterated the claim of the glass being "half full"; the City released no grip of the same perceived, "half empty" vessel. Members are encouraged to keep informed via the Members Only Audio section of our website.

Any subsequent meetings on these negotiations will be forthcoming; yet to be arranged.

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May 19, 2010 - Negotiations continued today with much discussion covering the understanding the IAFF has on the recently claimed position the City anticipates itself financially for the upcoming FY2011 contract year as relating to negotiations for its contract. The IAFF position remains growing in terms of information as to the arrival of facts to which the City maintains its projected outlook. Members should seriously consider listening to the Members Only Audio... of this meeting to help understand the concepts under discussion. (If you don't have access to these recordings, contact the web administrator for information.)

In short, the City has begun the process of starting the Arbitration process to help come to terms with all related developments. In progression the City has offered a 'wage reduction' in lieu of furloughs equaling that which the City hopes to skim from its firefighters. Both sides have chosen its panelist in searching for an independent arbitrator. The scheduling of the arbitration will be decided at a future date.

The IAFF made some drawbacks on previously items currently on the table, as well as removing others from discussion.

The next scheduled meeting has been scheduled for June 7, 2010 at 10:30 a.m.

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April 21, 2010 - While Article 17, Reductions in Force, was tapered as the literal topic of today's meeting, discussions did circle primarily around the City's previously submitted topic of Article 2, Management Rights. As presented at an earlier meeting to the IAFF, the City wished to remove the language "...as outlined in Article 17 of this contract, subject to an agreement between the employer and the Union..." at any time of financial crisis. This pertains to the topic of "furlough days", "merit freezes", and "other economic reductions" as an alternative to reductions of force.

As is constant with the IAFF, the topic of "Management Rights"; adding to them, removing or editing language as associated with the change of such; is somewhat met with obvious rejection, especially in times of a perceived or actual economic down-turn. The time to address such matters is better viewed objectively far in advance of the difficulty anticipated by those who wish to use firefighters and the safety of the general public as an easy, expendable fix to an anticipated problem. Placing rough-shot over the well-being of the aforementioned, has little to no merit in consideration.

The IAFF has proposed to hire an independent auditor to help review and understand the current topic. This perhaps would allow some comfort in addressing issues such as furloughs.

This this was the foundation of today's meeting, members are encouraged to listen for themselves (Members Only Audio...) to gleam further.

The next scheduled meeting is slated for Monday, May 10, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. Postponed to May 19, 2010 at 10:00 a.m.

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April 9, 2010 - Today's meeting was very informative in that we had both City Finance Director, Anthony Francisco, and City Manager, Steve Lewis present to help explain the City's budget concerns to the IAFF during this years negotiations process. In short, the message delivered was quite bleak.

IAFF members would be better served to simply listen to the meeting and gleam the basic ideas directly from what was presented in our 'members only' audio section. Little can be said here to better explain the situation at hand than to absorb it first-hand. In fact, fear of taking things out of context begs a stopping point in terms of written explanation. In addition, much of what was discussed at this meeting will also be delivered at the upcoming union meeting. All members are encouraged to partake in both. (Members Only Audio...) (Upcoming Union Meeting...) We will see you there!

The next meeting is scheduled for April 21, 2010 at 10:30 a.m.

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March 25, 2010 - The City of Norman took primary reign of today's negotiations by way of response to the IAFF proposals to date or by newer means of additional proposed points. In lue of much detail, since City budget projections are to be presented at a later meeting in which to better inform the negotiating team, the following are but an outline of the items discussed during the morning meeting:

The City of Norman presented/discussed:

1. Article #2 - Management Rights - The City wishes to remove the term(s) "as outlined in Article 17 of the contract, subject to agreement betwen the employer and the Union" as related to '"furlough days", "merit freezes", and "other economic reductions" as an alternative to reduction in force' to Section 3 - F.
2. Article #15 - Promotional Procedures - The wishes to help the previously IAFF discussed promotional statement by inserting, "the previously filled vacancy or ninety days prior to the date the Fire Chief establishes to fill positions by providing notification that new positions are ready to be staffed" to the Miscellaneous Provisions clause.
3. Article #21 - Sick Leave - The City responded with "No Change" to the earlier proposal pertaining to Sick Leave Buy Back.
4. Article #25 - Wages - The City responded with a "No Change" to wage adjustments. The City also proposed to add Section #3 which states, "The parties agree that effective July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011, merit increases for employees who would be potentially eligible for such increases shall not be granted due to economic factors". (currently not understood and withholding of explanation until a further date.)
   1. The City also presented a "draft" presentation of a "Total Compensation Wage Comparison", containing partial comparisons.
5. Article #26 - Health/Dental Insurance - The City proposed to adjust Appendix G and Appendix H to reflect changes currently in discussion with the Health Insurance Committee.
6. Article #31 - Longevity - The City responded with a "No Change" the previous IAFF proposal.
7. Article #26 - Duration of Agreement - The City proposed the standard date change to the upcoming contract.
8. Article #27 - Uniforms - The City responded with a "No Change" to the previous IAFF proposal.
9. Article #8 - Grievance Procedure - The City wishes to add some additional clarification statement, in writing throughout the process, of the grievants' complaint.

Again, the IAFF & the City will meet outside 'negotiations' to help understand any anticipated/projected budget shortfalls that support the City's claims of a possible "inability to pay" stance. (Members Only Audio...)

The next meeting is scheduled for April 1, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. POSTPONED

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March 12, 2010 - Negotiations continue. The IAFF began discussions with the introduction of information concerning Article 15, Promotional Procedures. No changes to the contract were introduced. The provided information was in hopes of clearing up possible confusion or complication in making determination of language which might help in future cut-off dates surrounding new positions being made in the future. Consultation and membership input via the upcoming union meeting may help play a key role in helping to lay the ground work for a possible change to the current contract language.

The IAFF also brought to the table a proposal to increase Longevity Pay, Article 31, from $3.70 to $4.70 as per the current method of calculation currently found in the contract.

EMT Incentive Pay, Article 29, was also introduced as a change from $100 per month to $150 per month.

The City of Norman discussed cleanup language pertaining to Article 14 as it relates to Article 18 in light of the maximum amount of 'compensatory time' mentioned in both articles. The City wished simply to narrow the language associated with 24-hour employees to Article 18 only.

The City also introduced a secondary version to its earlier proposal to Article 29, Incentive Pay making its proposal easier to read and chart. The IAFF has yet to respond to this particular proposal. (Members Only Audio...)

The next meeting will be held on March 25, 2010 at 10:30 a.m.

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February 22, 2010 - Negotiations picked up in pace as both the City and the IAFF brought items in which to discuss and/or offer in the way of contract changes affecting the next fiscal year.

The City and the IAFF both brought to the table suggestions in the form of contract changes pertinent to Incentive Pay, Article 29, Sec. 3. The City of Norman is offering an additional $15 per month for EMT-I's, and an additional $25 per month for an EMT-P. In addition, the City has offered Incentive Pay to Car Seat Technicians of $10 per month.

• With a presentation of information about the service to the community from Car Seat Technicians by Jason Smith, the IAFF presented its own variation of proposed creation of Car Seat Technician Incentive Pay Article by way of $50 per month.
• The IAFF presented a proposal to an increased Sick-Leave Buy Back policy as currently stated in Article 21, Section 11 by way of a conversion rate of two hours of sick leave for one hour of vacation time up to 1920 hours.
• The IAFF presented changes to Article 1, Sec. 5b, and thereby accepted by the City, to eliminate language referring to "food allowance", which is no longer exists.
• The IAFF presented a change to Article 18, Sec. 1d. The City accepted the change in reverting "One day in April..." back to "Good Friday"; as is the correct reference to this special day.
• The IAFF also presented the request of a 6% ATB, Cost of Living Adjustment. (Members Only Audio...)

The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 4, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. POSTPONED

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February 11, 2010 - The IAFF & the City of Norman met for the first of possibly many upcoming negotiating sessions for the 2011 contract year. Representatives for the IAFF were Butch Crawford, Dennis Mitchell, Tim McDermott, and Nick Terhune. (Members Only Audio...)

This preliminary meeting is typically held to settle 'ground-rules' in establishing guidelines as the meetings progress. The only change agreed upon was a time-limit in which both sides would introduce, in written form, the item to be negotiated. This date was set at March 15, 2010.

As projected, the City set the tone for a questionable year in terms of financial stability; perhaps simply mentioned to pave the way for future evidence to be presented to support this premise. The IAFF welcomes the details as we move further along in our talks.

The IAFF introduced the following topics which written changes/additions will be presented soon:

1. Article 15 - Promotional Procedures
2. Article 21 - Sick Leave, Sec. 1 & Sec. 3
3. Article 21 - Sick Leave (Buyback)
4. Article 22 - Vacation Leave
5. Article 25 - Wages
6. Article 27 - Uniforms
   • Documented Presentation: Changes to Article 27 focus on an increase in the Uniform Allowance of $200.00. The higher costs of goods, coats, boots, etc., warrant an additional increase for these purchases.
7. Article 29 - EMT Incentive Pay, Sec. 3
8. Article 29a - Tuition Assistance
   • Documented Presentation: Changes to Article 29a allows for the increase of Tuition Assistance for the bargaining unit. ($10,000 to $14,000)
9. Article 31 - Longevity Pay
10. Miscellaneous Issues

Both sides have worked to schedule in advance the following meeting date: February 22, 2010 at 2:00 p.m.

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January 27, 2010 - The first session of the FY11 Contract Negotiations year will be held on Thursday, February 11, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. at the City Hall study session room.

In addition, the Negotiating Team will hold a preparations meeting on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. at the Midtown Plaza Conference Room.

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January 4, 2010 - The IAFF Local 2067 has submitted a written request to the City of Norman, as per Union Contract, indicating its desire to hold sessions to negotiation the upcoming FY11 contract in the coming months. (Union Request...)

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