Consultations with the City of Norman

"The Union and the City agree to schedule quarterly Consultation Meetings to be held on the last Thursday of the months of September, December, March, and June.  An agenda of matters to be taken up at the meeting shall be presented in writing at least seven (7) calendar days in advance of the quarterly meeting.  Intermittent Consultation meetings between Union representatives and Management shall be arranged upon the request of either party.  Consultation meetings shall be called by the City consistent with confidentiality, or other legal restrictions, to advise the Union of any anticipated major changes affecting the working conditions of bargaining unit employees.  Arrangements for intermittent consultation meeting shall be made five (5) calendar days in advance, whenever possible, and an agenda of matters to be taken up at the meeting shall be presented in writing at the time a consultation meeting is requested."

Consultations 

Consultation Meeting

March 31, 2012 - We will be having a Consultation Meeting with Chief Fullingim on Monday, April 2, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. in his office.

Consultation Requested - Health Insurance

October 22, 2010 - The City has requested a consultation meeting regarding a potential increase in health insurance premiums. The meeting is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, October 28, 2010 at 9:30 a.m.

City Flies Through Consultation to Initiate Merit Freezes

June 28, 2010 - The IAFF was cordially invited to attend a brief consultation meeting with the City of Norman to primarily discuss the topic of 'merit freezes' for FY11. The meeting was held on Friday, July 2, 2010 at 2:30 p.m.

This second consultation of recent history was a recap of the previous one in with the City feels all is required is to announce their intention to unilaterally take away from their employees. We have see this misguided tactic before in 2007 when the city threatened furloughs and layoffs only to be challenged by the IAFF negotiations team for their lack of evidence in an impending Financial disaster. That was taken to arbitration and was won by the Firefighters. Not only did the City have to give back some scaled benefits, they also awarded themselves, AFSME and the FOP the same percentage raise the IAFF won through our hard work and monetary effort.

So brothers, here we are again on July 2nd and the City is freezing merit steps for the FYE 11 contract without an agreement. We will obviously grieve this. Your Union leadership feels strongly you will be given restitution as once again the CON is doing their numbers game and claim financial hardship. The report from our CPA says differently. This will present itself in due time.

All employees will be getting a letter from HR explaining this extraction of benefits. It is also noteworthy to report that not only did the City Manager get a 4% pay raise in March he also received a 2% raise on his deferred comp plan. When inquiring about this we were told it was 'really kind of like a merit increase'; like we get (GOT).

Members present:

  • Butch Crawford
  • Nick Terhune
  • Jim Moore
  • Joel Formby FOP
  • Jim Keesee FOP

Representing the C.O.N.:

  • Gala Hicks,HR Director
  • Rick Nighton, City Attorney

City Consults with IAFF on Furlough Plan

May 5, 2010 - The IAFF Local 2067, with the City of Norman during today's scheduled consultation meeting, saw but one plan attempting to be placed on the 'fast-track'; city-wide furlough days.

The IAFF listened as the written plan was presented. The meeting was short. The IAFF, as currently positioned in negotiation sessions, have yet to fully review the city budget in cooperation with our independent auditor, to verify any finding, worrisome projection, shortcoming, misalignment, level of legality, or any misplaced estimate thereby allowing our bargaining group to fathom an explanation in gaining consideration for such a 'give-back'.

The IAFF currently declines consideration of such a proposal. However, "we'll get back to them on that."