09-30-10 Special Meeting Minutes

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SPECIAL MEETING SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 entire negotiating process, which was based on the principles of interest-based bargaining. She noted that despite all the many challenges, the negotiating team bargained in good faith and dedicated their efforts to a fair and affordable total package. The hard work and dedication of the Fire Negotiating Team and City Negotiating Team reflects the positive working relationship established between the union and the City. She asked the Council for their favorable consideration. This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Jim Lopez, Assistant Chief of Operations, thanked everyone involved in the negotiating process. He stated that negotiations also resulted in proposed changed to ten (10) Articles of the current Collective Bargaining Agreement. These articles (Article 9, Vacation, Article 13, Insurance, Article 21 Sick Leave and Sick Leave Buy-Back, Article 22 Retirement and Sick-Day Buy Back. Article 24 Compensatory Time Account and Policy, Article 25 Critical Duty Days for Twenty-Four Hour Personnel. Article 26 Drug/Alcohol Testing, Article 28 Overtime and Emergency Duty Procedures, Article 32 Memorial Neo-Natal Unit, and Article 33 Duration will be formally acted upon by the Board of Public Safety at a later date. Ken Marks, President, Local #362; and Todd Skwarcan, Vice-President, Local #362 spoke in favor of this bill. They thanked everyone involved and despite the many challenges, a good faith effort was put forth to achieve an affordable total package. There being no one present wishing to speak to the Council either in favor of or in opposition to this bill, Councilmember White made a motion for favorable recommendation to full Council concerning this bill as substituted. Councilmember Varner seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. BILL NO. 58-10 PUBLIC HEARING ON A BILL OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, FIXING MAXIMUM WAGES OF TEAMSTER EMPLOYEES FOR CALENDAR YEARS 2011-2013 Councilmember Oliver Davis made a motion to accept the substitute bill file stamped September 23, 2010 and the Cover Letter filed stamped September 30, 2010. Councilmember Dieter seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. Councilmember LaFoutain, Chairperson, Personnel & Finance Committee, reported that this committee met on this substitute bill this afternoon and voted to send it to the Full Council with a favorable recommendation. th Gregg Zientara, City Controller, 12 Floor County-City Building, 227 W. Jefferson Boulevard, South Bend, Indiana, made the presentation for this bill. Mr. Zientara advised that this bill would fix the maximum salaries for Teamster Employees for calendar year 2011. The reason for the Bill being field for one year of wages only is because the Teamster have yet to ratify the tentative agreement reached on September 22, 2010 wherein a three year wage package was offered, accepted and tentatively agree to by the Teamsters. The last and best offer given to the Teamsters Bargaining Unit included a zero percent increase for 2011. Contract negotiations have concluded with the Teamsters however, the reason for the substitute bill is for one year of wages only and is because the Teamsters have yet to ratify the tentative agreement and don’t expect to until sometime in the month of October. Mr. Zientara noted that when the Teamster Union ratify the 3 year negotiation agreement a substitute bill will be filed with the Council which shall be for nothing more than the City’s last best and final offer and 4