City of Oak Creek

Common Council Report

Meeting Date:  5/20/03

Item No.:         10

Recommendation:  That the Council adopt Ordinance No. 2248, approving a new agreement with Local 133 for the period 2004-2005.

Background:  During 2003 the Personnel Committee and the Management Bargaining Team negotiated with Local 133 AFSCME, a wall-to-wall unit covering Street Division employees, Engineering Division employees and clerical staff throughout the City. The parties were able to reach a tentative agreement.

The Personnel Committee had determined that based upon the last voluntary agreement that included a 5% health insurance co-payment that other issues needed to be addressed with Local 133. This agreement includes new language addressing the City’s ability to designate acting employees to fill certain jobs and a 10 cent per hour (from $0.30 to $0.40) increase when employees work out of class. The changes include a wage settlement for 2.9% on January 1, 2004 and 2.9% on January 1, 2005. The procedures and timing of the morning break was adjusted to increase productivity. A program to reduce sick time usage was created as well as other wording changes to reflect the calendar year basis of the agreement. The City clarified the health insurance avoidance payment that referred to a health plan that no longer existed.

A new uniform program was started to provide employees with uniforms from a uniform service. This program will increase the visibility of City employees, increase the security aspects of their work and improve the appearance of the work group. The wearing of uniforms will be mandatory and covered by a uniform policy. There are advantages to the City to start the program earlier than required and funds are available to implement the program this summer.

The Personnel Committee recommends approval of the agreement. This agreement builds upon the first voluntary settlement by a major union to pay for health insurance and coupled with the recent City victory in an arbitration hearing with the Police Clerks to obtain 5% health insurance co-payment should assist the City tremendously in future bargaining with the Police and Fire Unions.

Fiscal Impact:  The 2003 budget includes funds to cover the uniform service program and the 2004 budget will be developed to reflect the costs incurred with this new agreement.

Prepared by:

Respectfully submitted, Robert L. Kufrin City Administrator

File name: S:\CLERK\COMMON COUNCIL AGENDAS\2003\05-20\CCR For 2004-2005  Local 133 Contract.Doc

Print Date: 5/16/2003 9:49 AM

Revision No. 5