Winter Park Firefighters

What's New

Oct 09, 2009 (10:03:00)

The following is an agreement between the Union and the City in respect to longevity, matching ICMA and/or 401a plan and the issue dealing with the members hired last year. While the matching bonus is indeed a reduction of a benefit for some of our members, the overall effect of this agreement is a positive one. The Union will continue to work with the City in regards to these issues during the upcoming negotiations for a new contract. The majority of those affected by this change agreed that the benefits of this agreement outweigh the downside. If there are any questions, feel free to contact me.

Item 1 – With respect to the city’s Longevity Bonus program; the city agrees to provide for all unit members a Longevity Bonus as described in the City’s Personnel Policy Manual, Section 5.10 that was in place at the time the Agreement was ratified and not as modified by the Commission in the budget adoption.

Item 2 – With respect to the application of Article 32 entitled Exempt Employee Bonus Package, it is understood that the city will match up to 2% of the employee’s contribution to the available 457, tax deferred retirement plan for Fiscal Year 2010.

Item 3 – With respect to the one member of the bargaining unit currently participating in the City’s 401a pension plan; the city agrees to contribute 7% of the employee’s base salary to the plan and to make a one-time increase to the employee’s base salary of 1.25%, effective October 1, 2009.

Item 4 – With respect to Appendix A of the agreement; the city agrees to raise the entry level salary point for Grades 514 Firefighter / EMT and Grade 517 Firefighter / Paramedic one full step. Any currently employed bargaining unit members who are in these Grades and have a base compensation below Step 2 will be brought up to Step 2 effective October 1, 2009. Any increases in base compensation made as a result of this understanding will be non-retroactive from the aforementioned date.

Contract Results

Sep 06, 2009 (11:24:00)

The ballots for the proposed contract vote have been counted. The results are as follows:

Download:

Contract_08-10_Results.doc

City to abide by PERC ruling

Mar 27, 2009 (22:54:00)

The Union has been informed that the city will abide by the ruling set forth by PERC from the filed ULP. There was a bit of "back and forth" between the attorneys, but everything was worked out. The PERC order was to rescind Article 25 (Salaries) to status quo as it existed prior to impasse. For most of you, this is good news. For some, we still have some work to do.

What does this mean to you:

Starting from the top, those that were topped out prior to October 1, 2008 -

If you got a 3.whatever raise instead of a top out bonus, the city is going to adjust your hourly rate back to the previous (Step Plan as of April 1, 2008) pay. What you earned between your annual evaluation and today will be subtracted from your top out bonus of 2.5%. There should not be anyone who is in the negative due to this calculation, but your hourly rate does return to what it was prior to your evaluation. This is one of the areas we will continue to work on.

Next, those that are currently topped out and your evaluation date is coming up -

You will receive a 2.5% top out bonus. Just like in the previous contracts.

Next, those that are in the middle and already had their evaluation -

If you already received your annual evaluation and got a 3.whatever raise, you will be made whole. In other words, the city is going to calculate the difference between your "merit" raise and the 4% step. You will be paid the difference retroactive to the date of your evaluation.

Next, those whose evaluation date has not yet come -

If your evaluation date is after today, you will receive a 4% step, just like in previous years.

Finally, for any new hires after October 1, 2008 -

Unfortunately, part of the ruling requires the city to go to status quo as it existed prior to impasse. For this group of people, who have all filed paperwork to become members by-the-way, the city is going to reduce your pay by 4% going back to the old "Step 1". You will not owe the city anything for the money you have already made. This is another area we will continue to work on.

Hopefully, this clears up any confusion in regards to pay. Right now, the finance department is going through (along with DeAnna) everyone who was evaluated between October 1, 2008 and now to be sure everything is correct. We should see this change possibly on the following check. If there is anyone who feels that their calculation is incorrect, please let me know so we can clear it up as soon as possible.

I know, for some, this is currently not a desired outcome. Just understand that the PERC ruling is a huge win for the Union. We now are the only department in the city with a step pay plan at 4%. The Union will continue to work towards getting a contract with the city that is amicable to both sides. As always, if you have any questions, feel free to call me anytime.

Dave

Urgent News Update!

Jan 27, 2009 (22:27:00)

...A pretty street means more to this commission than peoples’ livelihoods!
Download:

Urgent Update 01.doc