09/18/2008
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
IAFF IMPASSE HEARING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
September 18, 2008
Present: Frank Hibbard Mayor
George N. Cretekos Vice-Mayor
John Doran Councilmember
Carlen Petersen Councilmember
Paul Gibson Councilmember
Also present: Pamela K. Akin City Attorney
Cynthia E. Goudeau City Clerk
Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. at City Hall.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
2 - Introduction
2.1. Introduction by Mayor 1) Rules of Decorum 2) Issue at Impasse 3) Procedure
The City Attorney said the City and IAFF (International Association of Fire Fighters) had
waived the Special Magistrate Process and agreed the only disputed issue at impasse was the
amount of GWI (General Wage Increase) for October 1, 2007 through September 30, 2008,
within Article 9, Section 1 from the parties’ expired collective bargaining agreement. The
amount of GWI, if any, to be paid to the bargaining unit for October 1, 2007 through September
30, 2008 will be the sole issue taken up by the Council through this impasse resolution process.
3 - Presentations
3.1. IAFF Presentation. (up to 1 hour limit; may reserve up to 10 minutes of allotted time for
rebuttal.) Council Questions, if any.
Local IAFF President John Lee provided a PowerPoint presentation. He reviewed
starting pay, stating City firefighters ranked 15 of 19 Pinellas County jurisdictions and
paramedics ranked seven. He said EMTs (Emergency Medical Technician) and Paramedics
were paid less than average when compared with selected fire departments in Florida. He said
the CPI (Consumer Price Index) had increased by more than six percent between July 2007 and
July 2008. He said proposed increases to health insurance costs would significantly reduce
income.
He said on October 1, 2007, the CWA (Communications Workers of America) and FOP
(Fraternal Order of Police) bargaining units received increases, while the IAFF received 0%. He
said in the past year, firefighters at local fire departments received 2.5% to 6.25% raises, the
City Manager received a 4% increase, and the Fire Chief received a 5.9% increase. He said the
City Council adopted the FY 2007/08 budget, which included a 3% general salary increase for
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the Fire Department. Mr. Lee said 71 firefighters/medics were not entitled to a Step increase
this year and 17 firefighters due Step increases had not received them. He said 47% of the
department received no pay increase this year. He said City firefighters requested a 3%
increase effective October 1, 2007.
In response to questions, Mr. Lee said rankings were based on minimum salaries. He
said local department salary information did not include Steps. The City of Safety Harbor has
the only local department without a Step program.
3.2. City Presentation. (up to 1 hour limit; may reserve up to 10 minutes of allotted time for
rebuttal.) Council Questions, if any.
City representative Greg Herring said negotiations must be a give and take process. He
said the IAFF had resisted City efforts to attain management objectives and was unwilling to
offer anything in return for a salary increase. He said Steps provide firefighters with higher
salary increases than other employees receive. He said approval of FOP and CWA salary
increases was based on those unions meeting City objectives. He said firefighters who no
longer qualify for Steps previously received substantial increases. He distributed a Step chart.
Of 187 IAFF employees: 1) 12% (23) were maxed out; 2) 21% (39) were between Steps; 3)
30% (57) received a 2.5% Step increase and 4) 37% (68) received a 5% Step increase.
He said with the current contract year about to expire, a 0% GWI is appropriate. He
reviewed benefits IAFF employees received under a no change contract, including special pay
and resource allowance. He said salary increases were budgeted with the assumption that the
City would achieve its operational goals. He said the City Manager’s salary does not reflect an
average of his peers.
Mr. Herring said under the last contract, firefighters were the most richly rewarded
employee group in the City. He reviewed average 2007 IAFF salaries, stating the City’s entry-
level salary was very competitive. He said the City only passively recruits because people want
to work here. He said turnover was not great and no trend indicated that employees want to
leave. He recommended the union and City return to the bargaining table regarding the next
fiscal year. He opposed providing an incentive for the union to appeal to the Council for benefits
they could not negotiate at the bargaining table.
Mr. Roseto said Step increases were contingent on positive performance reviews. He
would check if any reviews were overdue. Concerns were expressed that management rectify
issues related to late performance reviews. Mr. Roseto said Step increases approximate 2.3%
of the Fire Department budget. Information was not available regarding overtime in other cities’
departments. The City does not compare salaries to east coast cities due to the west coast’s
lower cost of living. Concern was expressed that some City numbers were incorrect.
3.3. IAFF Rebuttal (if time reserved).
Mr. Lee said the union also did not accomplish its operational goals. He said a GWI was
today’s only issue. He noted many applications to the department were from east coast
residents.
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3.4. City Surrebuttal (if time reserved).
Mr. Herring said the City receives applications from other areas because this is a great
place to work. He opposed a GWI because the City had not achieved its operational objectives.
Mr. Roseto said the value of a 3% GWI was $345,000.
One person spoke in favor of a 3% GWI.
The City Council recessed from 10:00 to 10:32 a.m.
4 - Council Discussion Items
4.1. Council Discussion
It was commented that the Council valued firefighters’ service and dedication in the face
of unusual demands, their expertise, and hard work. It was felt the City paid its firefighters a fair
and competitive wage and recruitment and retention were not problems. It was stated a 0%
increase was a misnomer due to Step increases and other benefits.
Discussion ensued regarding increased City costs at a time of significant budget
reductions due to the economic downturn, the depressed real estate market, and Amendment
one. It was stated the City does not have money to provide firefighters with Step increases and
large GWIs and it would be unfair to grant them a large salary increase when the City was
considering lay-offs.
Disappointment was expressed that talks had failed and it was commented that
negotiations should take place at the bargaining table, not at the dais. When the City Council
had to address this issue three years ago, it was stated that different financial circumstances
had existed. Concerns were expressed regarding problems the City has had negotiating with
this bargaining unit and the lack of a cooperative attitude by both negotiation teams to improve
departmental efficiency. Disappointment was expressed that the union leadership had not
asked the members to vote on a City offer for a three year contract that provided 3% GWI each
year, prior to passage of Amendment one. Both negotiation teams were admonished to work
together at the bargaining table, with give and take expected from both sides.
It was felt while bargaining units should not be compared, other unions’ salary increases
were based on contracts negotiated before Amendment one was adopted. It was stated the
City is offering lower increases at current negotiations. It was noted that everyone works for the
same employer, City residents.
Discussion ensued regarding a bonus for currently employed firefighters.
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4.2. Council Decision on Issue at Impasse
Councilmember Cretekos moved to approve a 1.5% one-time bonus for IAFF members
on the payroll today for FY 2007/08. The motion was duly seconded. Councilmembers
Cretekos, Doran, Gibson, and Mayor Hibbard voted "Aye"; Council member Petersen voted
"Nay." Motion carried.
5 - Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 10:58 a.m.
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Mayor
City of Clearwater
Council Special 2008-09-18
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