Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Rocio Kiryczun, Human Resources Director
Michelle Kuka, Deputy Director, Human Resources
Subject: Amendment to Exhibit J of the Memorandum of Understanding with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing approval of an amendment to Exhibit J of the current Memorandum of Understanding with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) for the term of October 3, 2021 through October 5, 2024.
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BACKGROUND:
The current MOU, which is valid until October 5, 2024, included language in Exhibit J that the County and AFSCME would continue mediated discussions regarding several provisions in Exhibit J after the conclusion of negotiations. The County concluded negotiations on Exhibit J with AFSCME on June 7, 2023. The membership has ratified the County’s offer. The County and AFSCME have met and conferred in good faith and agreed to the terms to amend Exhibit J as described in the Tentative Agreement.
DISCUSSION:
This amendment to Exhibit J in the AFSCME MOU tentative agreement covers staff in AFSCME represented classifications only in the Public Safety Communication Unit. The following is a high-level summary of the major changes but is not a substitute for the attached agreement and the detailed terms contained therein.
Work Shift Schedules
The Tentative Agreement changes the future work schedule, shift bid and vacation bid starting on January 4, 2024. Currently employees in the Public Safety Communications Unit work an eighty (80) hour schedule and four (4) hours of voluntary overtime each bi-weekly pay period. The new work schedule will be an eighty (80) hour schedule, however, for a temporary period until the unit reaches a minimum staffing level of forty (40) qualified dispatchers, the employees would be scheduled for four (4) hours of regularly scheduled overtime each biweekly pay period, creating an eighty-four (84) hour schedule for all employees in this unit. Once the unit reaches the minimum staffing level of forty (40) qualified dispatchers, the additional four (4) hours of regularly scheduled overtime each bi-weekly pay period will be removed and employees will return to an eighty (80) hour bi-weekly pay period.
Additional Schedule Changes
Once the Public Safety Communications Unit has a minimum of fourty-four (44) qualified dispatchers, the following additional schedule changes will be made:
• Dispatchers will be required to have a minimum of ten (10) hours off between shifts
• Dispatchers working shifts of eight (8) hours or longer will receive a thirty (30) minute paid wellness break in addition to their current meal breaks.
• Employees in this unit shall normally not work longer than fourteen (14) consecutive hours, absent a disaster or significant emergency event.
County Attorney has reviewed and approved the resolution as to form.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The cost of these changes depends on the number of employees in this unit who need to work additional work hours, as that may result in additional overtime costs. The County cannot predict how many employees may need to work additional work hours, but the number is expected to be low. Costs will be absorbed by the Public Safety Communications Department where all of these employees work.