HomeMy WebLinkAbout5J - 2009-2011 Police Sergeants Collective Bargaining Agreement
/~
'/OCG PRIO'lt
I.... ,~
f [... (. 4646 Dakota Street S.E.
I..... or
IU ;;:: Prior Lake, MN 55372-1714
\ '"
\~
MEETING DATE:
AGENDA #:
PREPARED BY:
AGENDA ITEM:
DISCUSSION:
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
December 7,2009
5J
Kelly Meyer, Assistant City Manager
CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION RATIFYING THE 2009-2011
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF PRIOR
LAKE AND MINNESOTA TEAMSTERS PUBLIC AND LAW ENFORCEMENT
EMPLOYEES' UNION, LOCAL NO. 100, REPRESENTING POLICE
SERGEANTS.
Historv: The City has four employee groups, three of which are represented by
labor unions.
#of
Employee Group Employees labor Union Contract Term
Maintenance, Clerical 45 American Federation of State, January 1, 2008 through
& Technical Staff County and Municipal December 31,2010.
Employees (AFSCME)
Police Officers (patrol) 18 law Enforcement Labor January 1, 2009 through
Services (LELS) December 31,2009
Police Sergeants 3 Minnesota Teamsters January 1, 2006 through
December 31, 2008
I ManaQers/Supervisors 19 Unrepresented N/A
The contract before the Council for consideration tonight is with Police
Sergeants. The bargaining unit has been in existence at the City for many years.
The current labor agreement became eligible for re-negotiation on December 31,
2008. The negotiation process began in July of this year when Teamsters
submitted their demands. The bargaining team for Teamsters included all three
Sergeants and their Business Agent Mike Golen. I negotiated on behalf of the
City in consultation with City Attorney Joe Schmitt and City Manager Boyles. We
held two bargaining sessions, and one session with an outside mediator. The
contract before the Council represents the agreement between the parties with
respect to wages and conditions of employment in accordance with the Public
Employee Labor Relations Act (PELRA).
Current Circumstances: Negotiations with labor unions have been particularly
difficult for both sides of the bargaining table this year. This is wholly attributable
to the current state of the economy, the City's revenue shortfalls in 2008, 2009
and projected for 2010, and the unpredictability of the future. The City has the
following primary objectives in its labor negotiation:
(1) achieve wage agreements that are reasonable given the economic climate
within the City, and that are consistent with the market in the context of total
compensation;
(2) develop a long-term agreement in order to provide some level of ongoing
labor peace;
(3) eliminate inconsistencies between the contract language and the practical
procedures for implementation of the contract; and
www.cityofpriorlake.com
RICouncil\2009 Agenda Reportsl12 07 0912009-20~Iw~t~~I:fYUA~~Nium9l.~ 952.447.4245
(4) maintain as much consistency as possible between employee groups.
Following is a summary of the proposed labor agreement with Teamsters. A
complete copy of the agreement, executed by the union, is attached to the
agenda report.
ProDosed Amendments to the Aareement:
Duration: Three year term (Jan. 1, 2009- Dec. 31, 2011).
This is the first contract to be settled with any employee group
beyond 2010, and will set the parameters for negotiations with
AFSCME and LELS.
2009 - +3.00% subject to a reduction in education benefits
identical to the contract settlement with patrol officers for
2009.
2010 - +0%
2011 - +2.5%
2009 - +$33 per month ($850) consistent with all other employee
groups
2010 - +$25 per month ($875) consistent with AFSCME and
unrepresented employees.
2011 - reopen for health insurance only.
*Premiums for Single Coverage are 100% paid by the City.
Increase from 1 day to 2 days per member per year.
Effective December 31, 2009, the City will no longer be
responsible for paying for Masters degree or higher level courses
for this bargaining group. This is identical to the changes
achieved with LELS. Members may still achieve their Masters
degrees and be eligible for education incentive pay, but they will
be responsible for the funding the tuition themselves. This will
eliminate the double incentive for education in the previous
contracts.
Adds language that eliminates education incentive pay for new
members to the bargaining unit beginning January 1, 2009. This
lanQuaQe is consistent with the chanQes achieved with LELS.
Clothing Allowance changed to $861 per year based on CPI
adjustments. This is a housekeeping changed based upon the
current contract language.
Wage Adjustments:
Health Insurance Increase for
Family Coverage*: (Article 22)
Personal Days (Article 20.1)
Tuition Reimbursement (Article
29.3)
Education Incentive Pay (Article
29.1)
Clothing Allowance (Article 16)
Conclusion: There were a number of additional items brought to the table by
both parties that were eventually dropped in order to achieve the agreement
outlined above. Staff believes that Teamsters and the City have negotiated the
terms of this contract in good faith, and that the proposed labor agreement meets
the primary objectives of the City.
Waces: In determining wage increases for any employee group, the City collects
data from a number of sources including the League of Minnesota Cities Salary
Survey and surveys to other metro area cities of similar size. This has historically
been a comparison of base wages. This can be a deceptive comparison,
however, as many contracts typically have a variety of ways in which
compensation is calculated (for items such as longevity, education incentive,
tuition reimbursement, liaison pay, and working out of classification pay) as well
as differing in the benefit packages they provide. So, several years ago at the
suggestion of the City Council, we began to compare the cities contracts on the
basis of total wages and benefits, or total compensation.
ISSUES:
True comparisons are particularly difficult for 2009 and 2010. Most cities are in
budget situations similar to Prior Lake, and are having similar conversations
R\Council\2009 Agenda Reports\12 07 09\2009-2011 Teamsters Labor Contract - FINAL.DOC
related to 0% increases, furloughs, early retirement incentives, or imposing
layoffs. While keeping an eye on what other cities are doing, most cities are
proposing wage and benefit packages based on their impact on the city's
particular budget and ability to pay.
At the time that our 2009 budget was developed, the AFSCME bargaining group
had already settled for 2.5% for 2009. In order to achieve equity across
employee groups, the City had budgeted for a 2.5% cost of living increase for
both LELS and Teamsters as well even though the contracts would be open for
negotiation. By the time that the unions commenced negotiations, the City's
financial picture had significantly changed, and we were in the midst of identifying
nearly $475,000 in additional general fund budget reductions for 2009, as well as
projecting a $1,022,000 shortfall for 2010. Thus, as we approached negotiations,
the City's perspective had been forced to change significantly from the previously
estimated 2.5%. Our position became that the City should not offer any cost of
living increases for 2009 or 2010 unless we could otherwise reduce benefits that
were putting the eligible total compensation for police and sergeant positions well
above the market.
The contract proposes a 3% wage adjustment for 2009 in exchange for
concessions in both tuition reimbursement and education incentive pay discussed
below. For 2010, the contract proposes a 0% adjustment. This is directly related
to the budget strategy the City has sought to achieve to address its $1,022,000
shortfall in 2010. It is also consistent with the 0% budgeted for the
managers/supervisors group, and the 96-hour per employee furlough outlined for
AFSCME and LELS employees. For 2011, a 2.5% increase is proposed. The 3rd
year of a contract is always a bit of a wild card, but particularly so in this case.
The City agreed to a 2.5% increase for 2011 partly to demonstrate that wage
freezes for employees are not a regular practice we believe is reasonably over an
extended period of time, but rather a necessary result of the slow market. This
does not guarantee that the City won't have to go and ask the group for
concessions in 2011, but it does give the Union a measure of control.
Education Incentive Pav I Tuition Reimbursement: Under the current
contract, sergeants are eligible to earn up to an additional 12% as incentive pay
for achieving higher education (3% for each year completed). The City also pays
the cost of the tuition for officers to go back to school. These provisions have
been in place for well over 20 years. Management views these provisions as a
double incentive for acquiring education, and makes our maximum eligible total
compensation much higher than other cities. When added to maximum eligible
pay for longevity, officers can achieve up to 21 % above their base pay. Of the
other cities surveyed, virtually none provide education incentive pay, or if
education incentive pay is paid, it is significantly less than 12%.
With respect to tuition reimbursement, other cities typically offer reimbursement if
budgets permit and at the discretion of management, or with an annual cap. The
language in the sergeant's contract (and LELS) provided no such limitations to
tuition reimbursement.
In order to get better control of the City's costs for additional education, the
proposed contract provides that education incentive pay be eliminated for new
members of the bargaining unit. Current members may continue to receive and
earn education incentive pay. This is a phased approach to eliminating
education incentive pay over time through attrition. Related to tuition
reimbursement, the proposed contract provides that the City will no longer
RICouncill2009 Agenda Reportsl12 07 0912009-2011 Teamsters Labor Contract - FINALDOC
provide tuition reimbursement for Masters degree or higher level course work.
Current sergeants may earn Masters level education and be eligible for education
incentive pay, but they must pay for the cost of the tuition on their own.
Health Insurance: For City contributions to employee family health insurance
premiums, the 2008-2010 AFSCME Labor Agreement has set the standard for
insurance benefit for year 2009 and year 2010 ($850 per month for 2009, $875
per month for 2010). Because the City's objective is to maintain as much equity
as possible across employee groups, these same increases are proposed in the
Teamsters labor agreement. Over the past five years, the City has experience an
average increase of 5.42% in its health insurance premiums annually,
significantly lower than many other metro cities. Over the past two years, the
increases have actually trended below the average at 3% and 3.6% respectively.
We are hopefully that this trend will continue, but are unable to rely on it. Over
the last decade, the City has experienced spikes in its rates anywhere between
14% in 2005 and 3% in 2009. We will re-open to negotiate health insurance
contributions for 2011 when we have better data available and can reasonably
attempt to project our increases.
FISCAL IMPACT: The 2009 increase is 0.5% above our budgeted increase. However, because
there are only 3 people in this bargaining unit, we believe the costs can be
absorbed through expenditure reductions already incorporated into the budget.
For 2010, a zero increase is consistent with wage freezes and/or furlough days in
other employee groups and is reflected in the 2010 budget the Council will
consider on December 21, 2009. Funds for 2011 will need to be budgeted
according to wage and benefit terms set out in the agreement. Since all
employee groups will have taken unpaid leave or wage freezes in 2010, there will
be significant increases to the 2011 budget to return to full staffing levels and
fund the cost of wage and benefit increases.
CONCLUSION: Labor agreements typically do not provide complete satisfaction to either party.
There were additional provisions proposed by both parties where we did not
reach agreement. This agreement represents an equitable conclusion of
bargaining to meet the needs of both parties. Perhaps, most significant, the
settlement allows both parties to focus on delivering services to our customers
for the next three years rather than on labor negotiations.
Teamsters Local No. 320 executed the proposed agreement on December 1,
2009 and it is now presented for Council action.
ALTERNATIVES: The City Council has the following alternatives:
1. Approve the Resolution ratifying the Labor Agreement for January 1, 2009 -
December 31, 2011.
2. Deny the resolution.
3. Adjourn into closed session to discuss the proposed ~hanges.
RECOMMENDED
MOTION: Alternative #1 - Motion and Second to Approve the Resolution Ratifying the 2009
- 2011 Labor Agreement between the City of Prior Lake and Minnesota
Te~sters Public and Law Enforcement Employees' Union., Local 320, and
(' aUtOrizing the Mayor and City Manager to execute the Labor Agreement.
. ,.~J ~~
Reviewed by: Fr1~)~ ,s, City Manager
RICouncil12009 Agenda ~12 07 0912009-2011 Teamsters Labor Contract - FINAL.DOC
j/:O.~ PR~
i [... 1Ii~ 4646 Dakota Street S.E.
\U ~ Prior Lake, MN 55372-1714
\~
RESOLUTION 09-XX
A RESOLUTION RATIFYING THE 2009-2011 LABOR AGREEMENT
BETWEEN THE CITY OF PRIOR LAKE AND TEAMSTERS PUBLIC AND
LAW ENFORCEMENT UNION LOCAL 320 REPRESENTING SERGEANTS.
Motion By:
Second By:
WHEREAS,
the Public Employees Labor Relations Act as amended requires that the City
negotiate with the exclusive bargaining representative for groups of essential and
non-essential employees; and
WHEREAS,
Teamsters Public and Law Enforcement Union represents Prior Lake Police
Sergeants; and
WHEREAS,
the parties have negotiated in good faith, which negotiations have resulted in an
Agreement for 2009, 2010 and 2011; and
WHEREAS,
the employees who make up the Teamsters Local 320 bargaining unit ratified
said Agreement on December 1, 2009; and
WHEREAS,
the Agreement becomes effective on January 1, 2009.
Now THEREFORE, be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Prior Lake that:
1. The above recitals are incorporated herein by reference.
2. The Agreement between the City of Prior Lake and Teamsters Public and Law Enforcement
Union Local 320 effective January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2011, is hereby ratified.
3. The Mayor and City Manager are hereby authorized to execute the above referenced
Agreement on behalf of the City.
PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 7TH DAY OF DECEMBER 2009.
YES
NO
Haugen
Erickson
I Hedberg
LeMair
Millar
Haugen
Erickson
Hedberg
LeMair
Millar
City Manager, City of Prior Lake
www.cityofpriorlake.com
Phone 952.447.9800 / Fax 952.447.4245
Liabor Agre,eilDe:llt
between
CITY OF PRIOR LAKE
AND
MINNESOTA TEAMSTERS PUBLIC AND
LAW ENFORCEMENT EMPLOYEES' UNION,
LOCAL NO. 320
REPRESENTING: POLICE SERGEANTS
January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2011
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE 1: PURPOSE OF AGREEMENT
ARTICLE 2: RECOGNITION
ARTICLE 3: DEFINITIONS
ARTICLE 4: EMPLOYER SECURITY
ARTICLE 5: EMPLOYER AUTHORITY
ARTICLE 6: UNION SECURITY
ARTICLE 7: EMPLOYEE RIGHTS - GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE
ARTICLE 8: SAVINGS CLAUSE
ARTICLE 9: SENIORITY
ARTICLE 10: PROBATION
ARTICLE 11: DISCIPLINE
ARTICLE 12: WORK SCHEDULE AND HOURS OF WORK
ARTICLE 13: OVERTIME
ARTICLE 14: COURT TIME
ARTICLE 15: CALL BACK TIME
ARTICLE 16: CLOTHING ALLOWANCE
ARTICLE 17: HOLIDAYS
ARTICLE 18: BASE RATE OF PAY
ARTICLE 19: LONGEVITY PAY PLAN
1
1
1
2
2
3
4
6
6
7
7
8
8
9
9
9
10
10; APPENDIX A
11
ARTICLE 20: VACATION LEAVE 11
ARTICLE 21: SICK LEAVE AND SEVERANCE PAY 12
ARTICLE 22: HEALTH AND WELFARE 13
ARTICLE 23: FUNERAL LEAVE 14
ARTICLE 24: STANDBY PAY 14
ARTICLE 25: P.O.S.T. TRAINING 14
ARTICLE 26: VACATION COVERAGE 14
ARTICLE 27: LEGAL SERVICES 15
ARTICLE 28: JURY DUTY PROVISION 15
ARTICLE 29: EDUCATION INCENTIVE PAY PLAN 15
ARTICLE 30: WORKING OUT OF CLASSIFICATION 16
ARTICLE 31: DURATION 16
SIGNATURES 16
APPENDIX A: BASE RATE OF PAY 17
II
LABOR AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
THE CITY OF PRIOR LAKE
AND
MINNESOTA TEAMSTERS PUBLIC AND
LAW ENFORCEMENT EMPLOYEES' UNION,
LOCAL #320
ARTICLE I. PURPOSE OF AGREEMENT
This Agreement is entered into as of January 1, 2009, between the City of Prior Lake,
hereinafter called the Employer, and the Minnesota Teamsters Public and Law Enforcement
Employees' Union, Local No. 320 hereinafter called the Union.
It is the intent and purpose of this Agreement to:
1.1 Establish procedures for the resolution of disputes concerning this Agreements'
interpretation and/or application; and
1.2 Place in written form the parties' entire agreement upon terms and conditions of
employment contained herein for the duration of this Agreement.
ARTICLE II. RECOGNITION
2.1 The Employer recognizes the Union as the exclusive representative, under Minnesota
Statutes, Section 179A.03, Subdivision 14, for all police personnel in the following job
classification:
POLICE SERGEANT
2.2 In the event the Employer and the Union are unable to agree as to the inclusion or
exclusion of a new or modified job class, the issue shall be submitted to the Bureau of
Mediation Services for determination.
ARTICLE III. DEFINITIONS
3.1 UNION: The Minnesota Teamsters Public and Law Enforcement Employees'
Union, Local No. 320.
3.2 UNION MEMBER: A member of the Minnesota Teamsters Public and Law
Enforcement Employees' Union, Local No. 320.
3.3 EMPLOYEE: A member of the exclusively recognized bargaining unit.
3.4 DEPARTMENT: The Prior Lake Police Department.
1
3.5 EMPLOYER: The City of Prior Lake.
3.6 CHIEF: The Chief of the Prior Lake Police Department or designee.
3.7 OVERTIME: Work performed at the express authorization of the Employer in excess of
the employee's scheduled shift.
3.8 SCHEDULED SHIFT: A consecutive work period including rest breaks and a lunch
break.
3.9 REST BREAK: Periods of time for rest purposes during the Scheduled Shift. The
employee remains on continual duty and is responsible for all job duties.
3.10 LUNCH BREAK: A period of time designated for the employee to eat during the
Scheduled Shift. The employee remains on continual duty and is responsible for all
job duties.
3.11 STRIKE: Failing to report for duty, the willful absence from one's position, the
stoppage of work, slow-down or abstinence in whole or in part from the full, faithful and
proper performance of the duties of the employee for the purpose of inducing,
influencing or coercing a change in the conditions or compensation or the rights,
privileges or obligations of employment.
3.12 UNION OFFICER: Officer elected or appointed by Minnesota Teamsters Public and
Law Enforcement Employees' Union, Local No. 320 to act as Union Officer.
3.13 BASE PAY: Base Pay shall mean the rate of pay negotiated under Article 18.
3.14 BASE SALARY OR SALARY: The cumulative of base pay plus any additional
percentage pay received including longevity and/or education incentive.
ARTICLE IV. EMPLOYER SECURITY
The Union agrees that while this Agreement is in effect, the Union will not cause, encourage,
participate in or support any strike, slow down or other interruption of or interference with the
normal functions of the Employer.
ARTICLE V. EMPLOYER AUTHORITY
5.1 The Employer retains the sole right to operate and manage all manpower, facilities,
and equipment in accordance with applicable laws and regulations of appropriate
authorities, including, but not limited to, the following: establishing functions and
programs; setting and amending budgets; determining the utilization of technology;
2
establishing and modifying the organizational structure; planning, directing, and
controlling the operations and services of the department; selecting, directing and
determining the number of personnel; assigning and transferring employees;
establishing work schedules and assigning overtime; hiring, promoting, or relieving
employees; establishing and enforcing rules and regulations except as limited by this
Agreement.
5.2 Any term and condition of employment not specifically established or modified by this
Agreement shall remain solely within the discretion of the Employer to modify,
establish or eliminate.
ARTICLE VI. UNION SECURITY
6.1 The Employer shall deduct from the wages of employees who authorize such a
deduction in writing an amount necessary to cover monthly Union dues. Such monies
shall be remitted as directed by the Union.
6.2 The Union agrees to indemnify and hold the Employer harmless against any and all
claims, suits, orders or judgments brought or issued against the Employer as a result
of any action taken or not taken by the Employer under the provisions of this Article.
6.3 The Union may designate an employee from the bargaining unit to act as a steward
and an alternate and shall inform the Employer in writing of such choice and changes
in the position of steward within two weeks of signing the contract, or any change in
designated personnel.
6.4 The Employer shall make space available on the employee bulletin board for posting
Union notice(s) and announcement(s).
6.5 The Employer agrees to allow the officers and representatives of the bargaining unit
reasonable time off and leaves of absence, without pay and with prior approval forthe
purpose of conducting Union business when such time will not interfere with the
operations of the department.
6.6 The Employer agrees to post all promotional opportunities within the department; to
publish the method by which promotions shall be made within the department and to
make copies of all work rules and regulations available to employees.
6.7 The Business Agent of the Union, previously accredited to the City in writing by the
Union, shall be permitted to come on the premises of the City for the purpose of
investigating and discussing grievances in a responsible and reasonable manner.
3
ARTICLE VII - EMPLOYEE RIGHTS - GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE
7.1 Definition of a Grievance: A grievance is defined as a dispute or disagreement as to
the application or interpretation of the specific terms and conditions of this Agreement.
7.2 Union Representatives: The Employer shall recognize representatives designated by
the Union as the grievance representatives of the bargaining unit having the duties and
responsibilities established by this Article.
7.3 The Union shall notify the Employer in writing of the names of such Union
Representatives and their successors when so designated as provided by Article 6.3 of
this Agreement.
7.4 Processing of a Grievance: It is recognized and accepted by the Union and the
Employer that the processing of grievances as hereinafter provided is limited by the job
duties and responsibilities of the Employees and shall therefore be accomplished
during normal working hours only when consistent with such Employee duties and
responsibilities. The aggrieved Employee and a Union representative shall be allowed
a reasonable amount of time without loss in pay when a grievance is investigated and
presented to the Employer during normal working hours provided that the Employee
and the Union Representative have notified and received the approval of the
designated supervisor who has determined that such absence is reasonable and
would not be detrimental to their work for the Employer.
7.4 Procedure: Grievances, as defined by Section 7.1 shall be resolved in conformance
with the following procedure:
Step 1:
Step 2:
An employee claiming a violation concerning the interpretation or
application of this Agreement shall, within twenty-one (21) days after
such alleged violation has occurred, present such grievance to the
Employee's supervisor as designated by the Employer. The Employer-
designated representative will discuss and give an answer to such Step
1 grievance within ten (10) days after receipt. A grievance not resolved
in Step 1 and appealed to in Step 2 shall be placed in writing setting
forth the nature of the grievance, the facts on which it is based, the
provision or provisions of the Agreement allegedly violated, the remedy
requested and shall be appealed to Step 2 within ten (10) days after the
Employer-designated representatives' final answer in Step 1. Any
grievance not appealed in writing to Step 2 by the Union within ten (10)
days shall be considered waived.
If appealed, the written grievance shall be presented by the Union and
discussed with the Employer designated Step 2 representative. The
Employer designated representative shall give the Union the Employer's
Step 2 answer in writing within ten (10) days after receipt of such
grievance. A grievance not resolved in Step 2 may be appealed to Step
4
Step 3:
Step 4:
3 within ten (10) calendar days following the Employer designated final
Step 2 answer. Any grievance not appealed in writing to Step 3 by the
Union within ten (10) days shall be considered waived.
If appealed, the written grievance shall be presented by the Union and
discussed with the Employer designated Step 3 representative. The
Employer designated representative shall give the Union the Employer's
answer in writing within ten (10) calendar days after receipt of such Step
3 grievance. A grievance not resolved in Step 3 may be appealed to
Step 4 within ten (10) calendar days following the Employer designated
representative's final answer. If Step 4 is not appealed by the Union
within ten (10) calendar days it shall be considered waived.
A grievance unresolved in Step 3 and appealed to Step 4 by the Union
shall be submitted to arbitration subject to the provisions of the Public
Employment Labor Relations Act of 1971 as amended. The selection of
an Arbitrator shall be made from a list of five (5) arbitrators provided by
the Director of the Bureau of Mediation Services, tossing a coin to
decide who strikes first, and alternately striking names off of the list.
7.6 ARBITRATOR'S AUTHORITY
A. The arbitrator shall have no right to amend, modify, nullify, ignore, add to, or
subtract from the terms and conditions of this Agreement. The arbitrator shall
consider and decide only the specific issue(s) submitted in writing by the
Employer and the Union, and shall have no authority to make a decision on any
other issue not so submitted.
B. The arbitrator shall be without power to make decisions contrary to, or
inconsistent with, or modifying or varying in any way the application of laws,
rules, or regulations having the force and effect of law. The arbitrator's decision
shall be submitted in writing within thirty (30) days following the close of the
hearing or the submission of briefs, by the parties whichever is later, unless the
parties agree to an extension. The decision shall be binding on both the
Employer and the Union and shall be based solely on the arbitrator's
interpretation or application of the express terms of this Agreement and to the
facts of the grievance presented.
C. The fees and expenses for the arbitrator's services and proceedings shall be
borne equally by the Employer and the Union provided that each party shall be
responsible for compensating its own representatives and witnesses. If either
party desires a verbatim record of the proceedings, it may cause such a record
to be made, providing it pays for the record. If both parties desire a verbatim
record of the proceedings the cost shall be shared equally.
5
7.7 Waiver: If a grievance is not presented within the time limits set forth above it shall be
considered waived. If a grievance is not appealed to the next step within the specified
time limit or any agreed extension thereof, it shall be considered settled on the basis of
the Employer's last answer. If the Employer does not answer a grievance or an appeal
thereof within the specified time limits, the Union may elect to treat the grievance as
denied at that Step and immediately appeal the grievance to the next Step. The time
limit in each step may be extended by mutual written agreement of the Employer and
the Union in each step.
7.8 Choice of Remedy: If, as a result of the written Employer's response in Step 3, the
grievance remains unresolved, and the grievance involves the suspension, demotion,
or discharge of an Employee who has completed the required probationary period, the
grievance may be appealed either to Step 4 of Article 7 or a procedure such as Civil
Service, Veteran's Preference, or the Fair Employment Act. If appealed to any
procedure other than Step 4 of Article 7 the grievance is not subject to the arbitration
procedure as provided in Step 4 of Article 7. The aggrieved employee shall indicate in
writing which procedure is to be utilized, Step 4 of Article 7 or another appeal
procedure, and sign a statement to the effect that the choice of any other hearing
precludes the aggrieved employee from making a subsequent appeal through Step 4
of Article 7.
ARTICLE VIII - SAVINGS CLAUSE
This Agreement is subject to the laws of the United States, the State of Minnesota and
the City of Prior Lake. I n the event any provision of this Agreement shall be held to be
contrary to law by a court of competent jurisdiction from whose final judgment or decree no
appeal has been taken within the time provided, such provisions shall be voided. All other
provisions of this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect. The voided provision may
be renegotiated at the written request of either party.
ARTICLE IX. SENIORITY
9.1 City Seniority shall be determined by the employee's length of continuous employment
with the City of Prior Lake.
9.2 Departmental Seniority shall be determined by the employee's length of continued
employment with the Prior Lake Police Department as a licensed Police Officer.
9.3 Job Classification Seniority shall be determined by the employee's length of
continuous employment within the specific job classification.
9.4 A reduction in the work force in a specific classification shall be accomplished on the
basis of seniority, with the least senior employee in the classification being laid offfirst,
second senior employee being laid off next, etc.
9.5 Employees being laid off from a specific job classification shall retain the right, if any,
to bump back into any previously held lower position in the Prior Lake Police
6
Department.
9.6 Employees shall be recalled from layoff on the basis of seniority. An employee on
layoff shall have the right to return to work within two years of the time his/her layoff,
provided the employee has maintained all license requirements as established by the
P.O.S.T. Board or is eligible for license. Notification shall be by certified letter, and
upon receipt of, employee shall have twelve (12) days to return to work.
9.7 One continuous vacation period shall be selected on the basis of seniority until March
15 of each calendar year.
9.8 In-class seniority shall prevail. Senior Employees shall have preference for shift bids,
transfer, and job classification assignments.
ARTICLE X. PROBATION
10.1 A promoted or new employee shall be granted a one (1) year probation period to
determine:
1. The employee's ability to perform the job;
2. The employee's desire to remain on the job; and
3. During the probationary period, a newly hired or rehired employee may be
discharged at the sole discretion of the Employer. During the probationary
period, a promoted or reassigned employee may be returned to the previous
position at the sole discretion of the Employer. The employee may elect to
return to the previous position during the probationary period.
ARTICLE XI. DISCIPLINE
11.1 The Employer will discipline employees for just cause only in a form including but not
limited to the following:
A. Oral reprimand;
B. Written reprimand;
C. Suspension;
D. Demotion;
E. Discharge.
11.2 Suspension, demotions or discharges will be in written form.
11.3 Discipline shall become part of the Employee's personnel file and shall be
acknowledged by signature of the employee. Employee and the Union will receive a
copy of such documents.
11.4 Employees may examine their own individual personnel files at reasonable times under
the direct supervision of the Employer.
7
11.5 Employees shall not be questioned concerning an investigation of disciplinary action
unless the employee has been given an opportunity to have a Union Representative
present at such questioning.
11.6 The Employer will not discipline an employee in the presence of citizens or other
employees, other than the Union steward, the employee's designated Union
representative, or supervisory personnel, or a designee. This shall not be deemed to
apply to the issuance of work instructions or discussions held during departmental
meetings.
11.7 Grievances relating to this Article may be initiated by the Union in Step 3 of the
grievance procedure under Article VII.
ARTICLE XII. WORK SCHEDULE AND HOURS OF WORK
12.1 The normal work year is two thousand and eighty hours (2,080) to be accounted for by
each employee through:
A. Hours worked of assigned shifts;
B. Holidays;
C. Assigned Training;
D. Authorized Leave Time.
12.2 Holidays and authorized leave time is to be calculated on the basis of the actual length
of time of the assigned shifts.
12.3 Nothing contained in this or any other Article shall be interpreted to be a guarantee of a
minimum or maximum number of hours the Employer may assign employees.
ARTICLE XIII. OVERTIME
13.1 Employees shall be compensated at one and one-half (1 %) times the employee's
regular salary rate for all hours worked in excess of the employee's regularly scheduled
shift. Changes of shift do not qualify an employee for overtime under this Article.
13.2 The Police Chief shall have sole discretion in the availability of overtime. When the
Chief declares that overtime is available, it shall be distributed on a volunteer basis, by
seniority, to the Sergeants first. If no Sergeant wants to work it, the overtime may be
assigned to the junior Sergeant or offered to a patrol officer. This provision shall not
apply if the employee has not had at least twelve (12) hours off duty.
13.3 Overtime refused by employees, shall be considered as unpaid overtime worked.
13.4 Overtime will be calculated to the nearest fifteen (15) minutes.
8
13.5 For the purpose of computing overtime compensation, overtime hours worked shall not
be pyramided, compounded or paid twice for the same hours worked.
13.6 The EMPLOYER shall provide a minimum of twelve (12) hours off between scheduled
shifts. If an employee is required to work with less than twelve (12) hours off between
shifts, then he/she shall be paid at the time of one and one-half (1~) salary rate for all
hours that are worked within the twelve (12) hour period, except when it is mutually
agreed by the EMPLOYER and the employee to waive this requirement.
13.7 When prior approval has been obtained from the Employer, an employee may elect to
receive overtime as compensatory time off to be utilized within the same calendar year
during which overtime has accrued. Any unused compensatory time will be paid out in
the second paycheck in December. Maximum compensatory time accumulated shall
not exceed thirty (30) hours.
ARTICLE XIV. COURT TIME
14.1 An employee who is required to appear in Court during his scheduled off-duty time
shall receive a minimum of three (3) hours pay at one and one-half (1~) times the
employee's salary rate. An extension or early report to a regularly scheduled shift for
Court appearance does not qualify the employee for the three (3) hour minimum.
Cancellation with less than twenty-four (24) hours notice shall result in the minimum
being paid.
14.2 In the event an employee is subpoenaed to testify in private party litigation in a
capacity other than that of an expert witness regarding an incident that has occurred
within the scope of employment for the City of Prior Lake involving facts which the
employee came to know while on duty as a police officer, then the employee shall
receive court time pay in accordance with the requirements as set forth in 14.1. In
addition, if the employee uses a personal vehicle, then the employee may keep the
mileage fee served with the subpoena.
ARTICLE XV. CALL BACK TIME
15.1 An employee who is called back to duty during his scheduled off-duty time shall
receive a minimum of two (2) hours pay at one and one-half (1~) times the employee's
salary rate. An extension or early report to a regularly scheduled shift for duty does not
qualify the employee for the two (2) hour minimum.
ARTICLE XVI. CLOTHING ALLOWANCE
16.1 Employees shall receive eight hundred sixty-one dollars ($861.00) per year for clothing
9
and maintenance allowance. This amount shall be adjusted each year by the
percentage increase in the January to January, Minneapolis-St. Paul Consumer Price
Index as reported by the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics for the
preceding year.
16.2 Fifty percent (50%) of the clothing allowance is to be paid in the first paycheck in June
and the other fifty percent (50%) shall be paid in the first paycheck in December.
16.3 Probationary employees in their first year of employment can draw up to six hundred
fifty dollars ($650) from the EMPLOYER for uniforms, leather and equipment. In
addition, after they have passed their probationary period, they may draw against their
uniform allowance.
16.4 The EMPLOYER shall provide a list of approved uniform items. Any items that are
different, or are in addition to the list of items that are currently required for present and
new employees, shall be paid for by the EMPLOYER, without deduction from the
uniform allowance.
16.5 The EMPLOYER shall provide each employee with a Level 2 ballistic vest, either side
panel vest or their extended coverage T-shirt style, and two covers every five years.
ARTICLE XVII. HOLIDAYS
17.1 The EMPLOYER shall designate twelve (12) paid holidays at a maximum of eight (8)
hours per day or ninety-six (96) hours per year.
17.2 Any holidays not taken by the employee shall be resold to the EMPLOYER at the
employee's salary rate during the first payroll in December.
17.3 Any employee required to work on a holiday as designated In Article 17.1. shall be
credited with an additional one-half (%) times his/her regular salary rate for all hours
worked except any hours which would be regular overtime hours per Article XIII,
Overtime, which shall be paid as per Article XIII provides. Holiday premium pay shall
be given for all hours of the shift, including ten (10) hour shifts.
17.4 In instances where Christmas Day, the 4th of July, and New Year's Day fall on a
Saturday or Sunday, shift employees scheduled to work the actual holiday will be paid
at 1 % times their salary rate of pay for the shift worked. No shift employee will be paid
at the 1 % times rate for the City-recognized holiday.
ARTICLE XVIII. BASE RATE OF PAY
See Attached Appendix A
10
ARTICLE XIX. LONGEVITY PAY PLAN
19.1 Each employee shall receive longevity pay in addition to regular base rate of pay as
per the following schedule:
Three percent (3%) after four (4) years of service.
Five percent (5%) after eight (8) years of service.
Seven percent (7%) after twelve (12) years of service.
Nine percent (9%) after sixteen (16) years of service.
ARTICLE XX. VACATION LEAVE
20.1 Each employee shall accrue paid vacation on a monthly basis as per the following
schedule:Start until three (3) full years of service - ten (10) eight hour days per year or
eighty (80) hours.
Start of the fourth (4th) through the ninth (9th) year- fifteen (15) eight
hour days per year or one hundred twenty (120) hours.
Start of the tenth (10th) through the fourteenth (14th) year - twenty
(20) eight hour days per year or one hundred sixty (160) hours.
Start of the fifteenth (15th) year - twenty-one (21) eight hour days per
year or one hundred sixty-eight (168) hours.
Start of the sixteenth (16th) year - twenty-two (22) eight hour days per
year or one hundred seventy-six (176) hours.
Start of the seventeenth (17th) year - twenty-three (23) eight hour
days per
year or one hundred eighty-four (184) hours.
Start of the eighteenth (18th) year - twenty-four (24) eight hour days
per year or one hundred ninety-two (192) hours.
Start of the nineteenth (19th) year and thereafter - twenty-five (25)
eight hour days per year or two hundred (200) hours.
20.2 Newly hired probationary employees shall earn but cannot use vacation until after
twelve (12) months of service.
20.3 The days that an employee has scheduled off prior to, during, and preceding the
employee's vacation leave are included in the employee's vacation "Windows". During
this time period, the EMPLOYER will not schedule the employee for work. This section
11
does not prevent the EMPLOYER from scheduling employees to work predetermined
events in which all employees in the department would be required to work.
20.4 A regular full time employee who has completed a minimum of three (3) years of
continuous service shall be allowed to carry over from one calendar year to the next
one and one-half (1 %) times their accrued vacation at the rate of accrual specified in
20.1.
20.5 Personal Leave: Employees will be eligible for two (2) personal days per year. The
employee must provide two (2) days written notice to EMPLOYER prior to taking the
personal day. The personal day can be taken at the officer's discretion, however, no
accumulation or carry over of days can occur. No more than one (1) employee can
take personal leave during the week.
ARTICLE XXI. SICK LEAVE AND SEVERANCE PAY
21.1 Each full-time employee shall earn eight hours of paid sick leave for each month of
service.
21.2 Each employee shall be allowed to accrue paid sick leave up to a maximum of nine
hundred sixty (960) hours). At their option employees who have accumulated at least
seven hundred twenty (720) hours of sick leave may buy back the sick leave days in
excess of seven hundred twenty (720) hours, at the current salary rate of pay. This
option once exercised by an employee, shall continue until termination of employment.
Such buy back of sick leave shall be subject to the following limitations:
A. Any sick leave earned and accrued shall be paid off at fifty percent (50%).
21.3 If an employee uses more than two (2) consecutive days of sick leave, the Employer
may require a doctor's slip as to the nature of the illness.
21.4 The Employer agrees to pay upon honorable termination of any employee afterfive (5)
years of service fifty percent (50%) of the employee's accumulated unused sick leave
at the employee's current salary pay rate.
21.5 In addition to the monthly accumulation of sick leave mentioned above, each employee
shall accumulate immediately upon employment, ninety (90) scheduled shifts (e.g., up
to 900 hours for a ten-hour shift or 720 hours for an eight-hour shift) of sick leave to be
used only for injuries incurred during the performance of assigned duties. Such leave
with pay shall be granted for any period of disability, provided that a doctor's certificate
is filed with the City Manager stating that the employee is not able to return to work.
Such leave with pay shall not exceed ninety (90) working days per injury. If the
employee is receiving Worker's Compensation benefits for the disability, the City will
pay the difference between the employee's Worker's Compensation benefits and the
employee's full salary out of any accumulated and unused ninety (90) scheduled shifts
12
of injury on-duty sick leave. Such sick leave shall not be used in computing severance
benefits.
21.6 At the employee's request the Employer shall grant to the employee up to ninety (90)
scheduled shifts (e.g. 900 hours for ten-hour shifts or 720 hours for eight-hour shifts) of
unpaid medical leave after sick leave and vacation have been exhausted.
21.7 Any employee that claims an absence from work due to an injury sustained on the job
is subject to an examination to be made in behalf of and paid for by the Employer by a
person competent to perform the same and is designated by the Employer.
ARTICLE XXII. HEALTH AND WELFARE
22.1 The Employer will select and provide group health insurance with benefits atthe same
level as presently exists. The Employer will pay a sum not to exceed the monthly
premium for individual and dependent coverage as follows:
$850 per month for 2009
$875 per month for 2010
Reopen contract for insurance only for 2011
In the event premiums are increased beyond the maximum contribution paid by the
Employer, then such increases shall be paid by the employee through payroll
deduction.
22.2 The Employerwill select and provide group dental insurance with benefits substantially
the same as presently exist. The Employer will pay a sum not to exceed forty dollars
($40) per month the monthly premium for individual and dependent coverage. In the
event that premiums are increased beyond the maximum contributions paid by the
Employer, such increases shall be paid by the employee through payroll deduction.
22.3 Effective January 1, 2003, the Employer will select and provide term life insurance in
the total face amount of $50,000. The Employer will pay a sum not to exceed $11.30
per month for the foregoing coverage. In the event the premiums are increased beyond
the maximum contribution provided by the Employer, such increase shall be paid by
the employee through payroll deduction.
22.4 Retirement Health Savinqs Plan.
Retirement Health Savings Plan is a health benefit savings vehicle that allows
employees to accumulate assets to pay for medical expenses (e.g. health insurance,
co-pays, prescription expenses, etc.) on a tax-free basis. The terms of the plan are
governed by the Internal Revenue Code. To be eligible to participate in the plan, union
members must (1) complete 12 months of full-time service to the City, and (2) make
mandatory employee contributions in the amount of $12.50 per pay period. The
employer will contribute $12.50 per pay period per participating employee. This
13
contribution is a reallocation of the City's funds programmed for long-term disability
insurance. Paid long-term disability will no longer be an available benefit paid by the
City regardless of the employees' choice whether or not to participate in Retirement
Health Savings. Once an employee elects to participate in Retirement Health Savings,
he/she will not be able to discontinue participation.
ARTICLE XXIII. FUNERAL LEAVE
The Employer authorizes each employee funeral leave of three (3) days, should any member
of his immediate family pass away. Such funeral leave shall not be deducted from
accumulated sick leave. For the purpose of this Article immediate family shall mean the
spouse, parents, children, brother, sister, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, grandparents,
grandchildren of the employee and employee's spouse. The Employer may grant additional
time off if the City Manager deems it necessary.
ARTICLE XXIV. STANDBY PAY
If the Employer requires any employee to be on standby, the employee shall receive one (1)
hour pay for each two (2) the employee is on standby. It shall be the responsibility of the
Employer to notify the employee of the actual hours they are to be on standby.
ARTICLE XXV. P.O.S.T. TRAINING
The Employer agrees to pay for all training required by the City at straight time pay for the
hours of class time. The Employer also agrees to pay license fees, meals, lodging, mileage,
all reasonable expenses incurred in maintaining the employee's P.O.S.T. license. Additional
schools, etc., upon mutual agreement may be attended by the employee on his/her own time,
the Employer reimbursing for other costs.
ARTICLE XXVI. VACATION COVERAGE
The parties agree that when employees fill in for other employees on vacation, the Employer
will take into consideration the shift that the employee is currently on, the shift he/she is filling
in for, and the effect on the employee's health and sleep schedule resulting from a shift
change. For example, an employee would not be expected to change shifts in the middle of
the week and back again to cover for an employee on vacation. This does not prevent the
Employer from making shift changes in such cases due to an emergency, or an unscheduled
absence.
14
ARTICLE XXVII. LEGAL SERVICES
27.1 The Employer shall provide and pay for legal defense for any employee who is
charged with any alleged wrongdoing within the scope of his/her employment.
27.2 Except in cases of malfeasance in office or willful or wanton neglect of duty, Employer
shall defend, save harmless and indemnify an employee and/or his/her estate against
any claim or demand, whether groundless or otherwise, arising out of an alleged act or
omission occurring in the performance and scope of employee's duties to the fullest
extent permitted by Minnesota Law.
27.3 For the provisions of this Article, the meaning of words, "malfeasance", willful", and
"wantonll shall be described in the most recent Blacks Law Dictionary.
ARTICLE XXVIII. JURY DUTY PROVISION
When an employee has been absent from work because of jury service, he/she shall be paid
the regular salary by the City, with the understanding that upon the completion of the jury
service, he/she shall provide a copy of the jury check to the head of the department and that
the amount of such check, less the amount including for traveling expenses, shall be
deducted from the next regular pay check.
ARTICLE XXIX. EDUCATION INCENTIVE PAY PLAN
29.1 The Employer agrees to pay each Employee an additional percentage of his/her base
pay rate plus longevity payor working out of classification pay, if any, for each year of
college level education as part of the following schedule after starting with the
department:
Three percent (3%) for one (1) year
Six percent (6%) for two (2) years
Nine percent (9%) for three (3) years
Twelve percent (12%) for four (4) years
New members of the bargaining unit hired after January 1, 2009 are not eligible for
education incentive pay.
29.2 The Employer agrees for the purpose of definition of college level education in Article
29.1 above, to recognize a grade of C or Pass from any institution of higher learning
approved by the North Central Bureau of Accreditation. In addition, the employee shall
provide the Employer written notice of the employee's intent to enroll in a course by
June 30th the year preceding enrollment.
29.3 The Employer agrees to provide reimbursement for the cost of books and tuition for
any successfully completed college level course provided that the course is associated
15
with law enforcement (to include the social sciences and required electives). Effective
December 31, 2009, this provision shall not apply to Masters or higher level course
work.
ARTICLE XXX. WORKING OUT OF CLASSIFICATION
Employees assigned all of the responsibilities of a higher position shall receive the differential
for each full shift assigned to that position by the Employer. Employees assigned to the
position of Sergeant Investigations shall receive an additional five percent (5%) of their base
pay plus longevity pay.
ARTICLE XXXI. DURATION
31.1 This Agreement shall be effective as of January 1,2009, and shall remain in full force
and effect until December 31, 2011 and thereafter as provided in the PELRA.
31.2 This Agreement shall represent the complete agreement between the Employer and
the Union.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on this
day of ,2009.
FOR THE CITY OF PRIOR LAKE
FOR MINNESOTA TEAMSTERS
PUBLIC AND LAW ENFORCEMENT
EMPLOYEES' UNION, LOCAL NO. 320
Jack Haugen, Mayor
at..-J&-
Tom Kahlert, Union Steward
Dated:
Dated:
/()- /- D?
Dated:
J1~~
Michael J. Gole~usiness Agent -
Dated: I :J- - I - oq
Frank F. Boyles, Manager
16
APPENDIX A
Base Rate of Pay
3% increase effective January 1, 2009
0% increase effective January 1, 2010
2.5% increase effective January 1, 2011
Start After Probation
Effective Date Monthly Monthly
January 1, 2009 5,884 6,268
January 1, 2010 5,884 6,268
January 1, 2011 6,031 6,425
17