FY2007-2008 Negotiations

IAFF FY2007 & 2008 Contract Negotiations

Contract Agreement Reached Ratified

January 19, 2007 - After a three-day ballot box vote placed before all crews, the final tally which ratified the FY07 & FY08 Contracts was 94 (Yes), 11 (No).

January 9, 2007 - The Local 2067 Negotiation Team has reached a Tentative Agreement with the City of Norman. A Ballot Box Vote to ratify the Tentative Agreement for the FY07 & FY08 contract(s) will be January 17, 18 & 19, 2007. We will be at each station with copies of the Tentative Agreement to answer any questions. If you are scheduled to be off on these days, please contact Butch Crawford or Dennis Mitchell so we can arrange to collect your vote by-proxy. (Click here for the particulars... - PDF 3,633kbs)

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• Arbitration Process Begins as Negotiations Inch Along - Both the IAFF and the CON have selected an arbitrator in the matter of the 2006-07 Interest Arbitration case still coming to a boil. The arbitrator for this case would be Ms. Rita G. Siegel of Albuquerque, NM. We await on Ms. Siegel for her available dates in which to conduct this hearing in either December or January.

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Eleventh Meeting

October 31, 2006 - The IAFF and C.O.N. negotiators, having held back degrees of aggravation leading up to this point, seemed to have come to the crest of having enough. While there is still room to work a deal, before both sides call this one a "forgone conclusion" and present its respective side to an arbitrator, it is becoming increasingly difficult to work every angle of a Wage Proposal, Health Insurance Benefits, miscellaneous other benefit tweaks, and the inner workings of the Health Insurance Committee in conjunction with multiple bargaining groups, City 'wants' and Employee 'needs', and have it rolled conveniently into a tightly melded ball of agreement.

From an IAFF standpoint, it is pointedly a matter of risk, offset by reward. The keyword is "offset", or "reallocation" of already agreed upon levels of compensation to this point. The C.O.N. has asked today for the IAFF to bring 'written' proposals that explain this offsetting compensation factor that the IAFF had alluded to during this meeting. The C.O.N. is not without reason to have the IAFF to spell out what it desires to receive as a matter of compensation for giving up the benefits the City wishes to scale back contributing to. The City should also make ready with a plan to offer more than 'no compensation' for the loss of those proposed benefits. (...either directly a result of immediate change or simply by virtue of being a by-product of its recent proposal.)

The proposed plan the City has offered in the tenth meeting (1) lacks proper funding (it would result in obvious benefit changes as a result - even though no changes are suggested by the C.O.N. in this proposal), (2) Suggests no plan changes that would secure the plan would stay afloat as-is, (3) is without an agreed upon Trust document, and (4) is without due regard to compensation for the predicted loss of benefits.

The next meeting has yet to be scheduled.

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Tenth Meeting

October 17, 2006 - Today the City of Norman presented a 'pig-in-a-poke' presentation lumping all previously discussed and tentatively agreed to items into one neat package. The lump sum, consisting of a Grievance Article changes, Random Drug Testing language, Promotional Procedure changes (already tentatively agreed to), Military Leave, a Wage Proposal, Health Insurance changes, Uniform Allowance changes, Food Allowance changes, and Tuition Assistance, was not allowed to be addressed individually by the IAFF when returning from a Caucus.

The IAFF is currently working on its own Language, as it relates to the Health Insurance Trust, which will forgo the need for the City to include this item into the next 'packaged deal'. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 31, 2006 at 09:30 a.m.

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Ninth Meeting

August 23, 2006 - Reeling from the failed sales tax vote of yesterday, the City of Norman appears to need additional time to evaluate its position on any available offer to bring to the table. The IAFF awaits any movement from the City's side before any further consideration can be made.

In the mean time, the IAFF has invoked the launching of the Arbitration process by requesting an arbitration list.

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Eighth Meeting

July 28, 2006 - The eighth meeting of FY07 Negotiations was held today. Little can be said for any gained 'head-way' for either side. The C.O.N. remains steadfast in its desire to trim health insurance benefits from the members of the IAFF bargaining unit. Little attempt is being made by the City to offer any substantial recompense for those changes. The IAFF remains steadfast in the idea that those benefits are tied directly to the total compensation packages of every member of Local 2067. Therefore, offering an allowance to trim those benefits without any due offset to balance that compensation will not be considered by the bargaining team.

The C.O.N. remain adamant of the need for 'random drug testing'. The IAFF also agrees in principle that this is a good idea. The City's willingness to spend money on this endeavor while holding back the reins for an increase in Tuition Assistance (Training) as collateral appears counterproductive to all things reasonable.

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Seventh Meeting

June 30, 2006 - The seventh meeting of FY07 Negotiations was held today at 9:00 a.m. at the Multi-purpose room at City Hall.

The CON continues to press the Health Insurance issue it currently has pertaining to the costs associated with this benefit. When pressed for any possibility for a response to any movement in that direction, the IAFF was only prepared to support a raise in premiums. This after a period of time in which there has been no premium increases other than those offered by the IAFF two years ago, as additional premiums over and above those mentioned in the current contract. The CON has not raised premiums in a traditional sense for quite some time. The IAFF feels when the City positioned itself into the shoes of "insurance company", hence saving money in and of itself, an increase in premiums is to be expected and warranted. The IAFF feels the need to continue allowing the Insurance Committee to work toward a mutual agreement befitting a unified plan-change, thereby keeping every city employee in the same group dynamic. The IAFF negotiating team still does not feel the urgency the City feels when reaching out on its accord in make changes the Insurance Committee has yet to decide upon.

There were also feeble attempts at chipping away at smaller items in terms of Random Drug Testing, Training Funds and Uniform Allowances with little movement to speak of.

The sole agreement reached today pertained to Article 20, Section 1-G. In essence it provides for Military personnel who return to work after an extended leave of absence to be "considered for merit increases he would have been eligible to receive." Section 2 of this same Article will be decided in the upcoming Arbitration hearing.

The next meeting is slated for Tuesday, July 11, 2006 at 9:00 a.m.

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Sixth Meeting

May 3, 2006 - The 6th FY07 Negotiating Session was held yesterday at City Hall with little to show for the effort. Local 2067 began the meeting with hopes of putting to rest, and meeting the desire for the CON's wish to perform Random Drug Testing on its firefighters. 2067 wishes to join in this effort and offered several of its own initiatives in return for the compromise. In return for accepting RDT, the Union had asked for a slight raise in the Uniform Allowance ($626.00 paid at one time during the year; while offering to couple the $100/yr Food Allowance into that $625.00, thereby eliminating Article #28, Food Allowance in the contract), requiring the bump of $4000.00 in the Training/Education budget allowed by the Contract to total $10,000 (any of that portion not used by the membership will be returned as unused for that year), and the limit of Sick-Leave-Buy-Back to be raised to 1920 hours as opposed to 1440. (Of which, the City is contracted to pay "1 for 2" of all unused sick-leave not to exceed that number, upon employment separation.) The City of Norman has rejected these concessions.

The C.O.N. did offer a counter-proposal to the Union's issue of "Union Business" by attempting to offer, in a nutshell, a proposal that includes, for the most part, previously obtained rights to conduct Union Business via "prevailing rights" and/or "past practice". The IAFF rejected this proposal as a none-proposal.

The underlying theme of negotiations still remain; that of Health Insurance. The C.O.N. appears skeptical when faced with the questions of any "wage offer(s)" they'd be willing to make; either in spite of, or in light of, any proposal the IAFF had in reducing its own benefits, as the City has suggested it make. The IAFF today asked for a 6.9% across-the-board pay increase for its membership. The City of Norman, in spite of its own desire to reduce this key component of the IAFF's Total Compensation Package with reductions in Health Insurance, has to-date offered nothing as incentive, or in lieu of, any proposed reduction in this key benefit.

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Fifth Meeting

April 5, 2006 - Today's meeting was relatively short in light of many items still being discussed in earnest throughout these negotiations. One by one we seem to be narrowing the field down toward the larger, more demanding subjects; wages and health insurance.

The following are short recaps of the items discussed and/or tentatively agreed to in process:

1. The City of Norman agreed to our proposal concerning Article 18, Holidays. The agreement states the IAFF Contract will reflect, as is befitting our group, the wording for "Christmas Eve", "Christmas", and "Good Friday" as they should be: "Christmas Eve", "Christmas", and "Good Friday".
2. The IAFF2067 inquired as to whether or not, at this time, the C.O.N. has developed a wage compensation to balance out any proposal the City had, or will, made on the trimmed benefits in Health Insurance. The City does not have any such proposal at this time.
3. The C.O.N. proposed an offer bundling several of their issues as well as issues concerning the IAFF into one "group package". It consisted of (1) Providing a total of $8,000 toward Article 29a, Tuition Assistance; (2) Moving and thereby eliminating Food Allowance, Article 28 toward the Uniform Allowance, Article 27 and adding an additional $50.00; bringing this amount to $475.00. The $475.00 would be paid out to each member in an amount of $18.26 per pay period; (3) Requirement by the IAFF to withdraw its proposal of Funeral Leave, Article 21a; (4) Requirement by the IAFF to withdraw its proposal of Sick Leave Buy-Back, Article 21; (5) Accept the C.O.N. proposal on Random Drug Testing. The IAFF will reflect on this issue and bring back any comment or counter proposal at the next meeting.
4. The IAFF2067 extended a proposal to the City concerning Union Business, Article 22 which garners more opportunities for members to conduct Union Business without conflict.
5. The IAFF2067 introduced a proposal for Article 20, Section #2, Military Leave which would settle the dispute now being forwarded in arbitration.
6. The IAFF2067 spoke again about the value of a Wellness & Expanded Infectious Disease Programs.

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Fourth Meeting

March 9, 2006 - Today's negotiations were primarily a reverberation of past meetings in terms of issues previously discussed or introduced. The IAFF used the bulk of the meeting time presenting further explanation on issues such as (1) Article 21, Sick Leave Buy-Back, (2) Article 29a, Tuition Assistance, (3) Article 18, Holidays, (4) Article 21, Funeral Leave, (5) an support document on the "metro-five's" base-wage comparison, and (6) further discussion on "random drug testing". Highlighting a few of these, the IAFF is requesting an increase to equal $14,000 from $6,000 in Tuition Assistance article and increasing sick leave buy-back upon retirement to a "2 for 1" at a limit of 1920 instead of the current 1440 hrs. accrued.

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Third Meeting

February 14, 2006 - As proposals begin to mount in the middle of the negotiating table, the IAFF began this session with several additional while responding to those already present from the previous meeting. Below is another outline explaining the proceedings at today's meeting.

Items at Issue:
IAFF:   Article #21a, Funeral Leave - The IAFF presented a proposal with adds Section 1.i., Uncles and Section 1.j., Aunts to the list of related immediate family to which the employee would be eligible to request funeral leave in the event of a death. Article #27, Uniforms - The IAFF presented a proposal that allows for an increased fund for the purchase of uniforms and related items that are found on the solicited quote previously approved by the fire chief. The employee would be required to purchase and maintain this uniform based on a new allowance of $650.00 for the contract year. Article #20, Military Leave - The IAFF explained its position on and will continue to work at understanding the position of the CON on this issue. Until such time, there is a difference of opinion on this topic. Article #18, Grievances - The IAFF explains its position on the request by the CON to require a "20-day" deadline in order for one side, or the other, to file for Arbitration in the event that "step 3" fails so solve the grievance. In essence, one situation which evolved over an extended period of time in which a grievance was filed in the past, in the mind of the IAFF, did not constituted a "problem" that justifies a "20 day" limit in which to file for future grievances. The IAFF will continue to study this item. Article #26, Health Insurance - The IAFF is not in a position at this particular meeting to comment on this topic. There are extenuating curcimstances and meetings that need to be heard in order to comment on Health Insurance at this date. The IAFF holds off until those meetings are held. Article #11, Appendix E, Safety Council & "Random Drug Testing" - The IAFF will continue to develop a response to this item. The IAFF spent time attempting to gauge a cost figure, need and understanding of this procedure as it relates to any educated response.	City of Norman:   Article #21, Sick Leave - The CON feels that the additional 240 hours of Sick Leave estimated to be purchase back from the employee upon separation from the City is not something they feel interests them. Article #21a, Funeral Leave - The CON isn't interested in adding Uncles & Aunts to the list of family members. Article #20, Military Leave - The CON feels they are within "compliance" and fully support "not granting merit increases automatically for an employee who was absent due to military leave for active duty". Article #25, Wages - The CON presented its "total Comp." wage figures that outlined the an estimated overpayment of anywhere from 2.40% to 9.78%, depending on who is holding the calculator. *************
Items Resolved: Article #15, Promotional Procedures - This item has been resolved and contains come cleanup language and the removal of the problem with promoted individuals not receiving at least a 4.0% pay increase. This language has been removed and steps taken to avoid this in the future. (See new Article #15...)

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Second Meeting

February 3, 2006 - As a possible result of issues being held at bay during last years negotiation sessions; as "wages" was the single negotiated item during that particular year; both the City of Norman and the IAFF have come out in earnest to cover a myriad of topics. In short, as there is overwhelming documentation and discussion about each of these items, members should speak to the members of the Negotiating Team to fill in the blanks that this outline won't provide.

City of Norman:   Article #8, Grievance Procedure - The C.O.N wishes to add a 20 day window after Step #3 does not provide a settlement in which to send the issue to arbitration. Article #11, Safety Council - The C.O.N. wishes to add an "Appendix E", Substance Abuse Policy and Drug Workplace Policy. Article #15, Promotional Procedures - Several items are submitted for consideration. (1) Designee referenced in Sec.3.b.1 as Chairperson, not simply the HR Director only. (2) Removal of "Fire Suppression Unit" in the Procedure Section #4. (3) Removal of the "4% pay chart" at the end of this Article and replacing it with "...for all employees receiving promotions to receive a minimum of a 4% pay adjustment..." Article #20, Military Leave - The C.O.N. wishes to add "If the employee would have been eligible to be reviewed for a merit increase while being away from work on military leave, then upon the employees return to work he should be considered for the merit increases he would have been eligible to receive..." to Section 1.g. Article #26, Health Insurance - The C.O.N. wishes to expand this Article extensively. (This topic is possibly reserved for action via the bargaining group to the IAFF Heath Insurance Committee members. Most likely we will await the recommendation from those members prior to making judgment on the merits of this request.) Contact your Negotiating Team to view related documentation.

IAFF:   Rank Restructure - This topic has been discussed for many years and the IAFF feels the need to request that the additional training, preparation and opportunities afforded by incorporating similar "relief driver" type ranks (as an example) into other areas of the rank structure would support & benefit both the member and the Norman Fire Department. Article #21, Sick Leave - The IAFF wishes to increase the maximum hours of converted, unused sick leave at retirement from 1440 to 1920 hours. Misc. Articles - Reserved for future meetings... *************

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FY07 Negotiations Begin

January 12, 2006 - As the fires still smolder from the previous FY06 Negotiations and subsequent Arbitration Hearing (the outcome of such still awaiting determination) we began again with the FY07 contract year this afternoon Thursday at 1:30 p.m. in the City of Norman Study Room.

As with all negotiation sessions, it begins with the exchange of common pleasantries, the signing of the "participation sheet", and the formal agreement the the FY07 Negotiating 'Ground Rules'.

The City of Norman is represented by its Chief Negotiator, Tony Puckett. The IAFF Local 2067 continues to be represented by 2067 President Butch Crawford.

Given the early start of the new negotiating season, the IAFF was content in entertaining contract solicitations from the City in anticipation toward the upcoming two-shift Union Meeting to be held January 17-18, 2006. As expected, the topic of Health Insurance was the first topic to surface. The CON opened this discussion with a 'ball-park' health insurance proposal concerning various changes to firefighters health insurance benefits.

The IAFF was intent upon listening but until all union members have an opportunity to give direction to the negotiating team on this particular subject. Little was responded to in this direction by the IAFF.

The next scheduled meeting will be held on February 3, 2006 and again on February 10, 2006, both to be held at 9:30 a.m.