Today’s Blog: City Reaches Agreement With Four Unions – Including Pay Freezes

The City of Elyria has reached agreements with the four collective bargaining units that have expiring contract deadlines this year.   “I am so very pleased to say that all of our employee groups understand the financial challenges the City is facing and are working collaboratively with the City administration to reach practical agreements that allow us to offer the best possible services with limited resources,” said Mayor Holly Brinda.   “The pay freeze offered by firefighters coupled with the willingness by police to make concessions related to employee contributions to health care and to continue the conversation regarding eliminating or limiting longevity are among many important steps we are taking towards both  short-term and long-term cost-containment. “       

The City of Elyria and the Elyria Firefighters Local #474 of the International Association of Fire Fighters reached agreement for a one-year pay freeze, agreeing to extend the terms of the current contract through June 30, 2014. The parties have agreed to re-open negotiations in the first quarter of 2014. 

The Elyria Police Patrolman’s Association has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Elyria to defer and then resume Fact-Finding in late 2013 to further explore remaining wage and longevity issues.  Agreement has already been reached on 21 other issues in the current contract.     
 
Significant developments with the EPPA thus far include: 

1. The Association has agreed to entertain a proposal from the City to continue talks to eliminate and/or limit longevity in the extended Fact-Finding stage.
2. The Association has agreed to additional cost-sharing of health insurance, up 1.5% from 15 to 16.5 for a maximum employee cap, which is 6.5% over the state of Ohio average for maximum employee contributions.  At present, the health insurance coverage is allocated at 85% employer and 15% employee.  If during the terms of the agreement, the yearly cost of health insurance based on COBRA rates increases by 15% or more and if the Employee Health Program Committee is unable to eliminate the cost increase through diligent efforts, the percentage increase over 15% will be allocated equally between the City and the Employee, provided the maximum employee contribution is capped at 16.5% of the monthly cost. 
3. The City agreed to work collaboratively and proactively to further address health, safety and welfare issues of Association members, working jointly to develop solutions to address concerns in the areas of staffing, equipment, the radio system and use of force protocols. 
4. The duration of the Collective Bargaining Agreement was extended to December 31, 2015. 

The F.O.P., Ohio Labor Council representing Elyria’s Police Dispatchers has entered into an Extension Agreement to continue their current contract through December 15, 2013, with the intent to extend the negotiations date to early 2014.  

The AFSCME Ohio Council 8, AFSCME Local #277, AFL-CIO representing Elyria’s service workers has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Elyria to defer and recommence further negotiations until late 2013 with the intent of concluding by mid-January 2014.     

“The ongoing negotiations processes are providing the administration and our employee unions the opportunity to engage in open dialogues regarding the 23 recommendations made by the Auditor of State in the recent Performance Audit,” said Mayor Brinda.   “By committing to continue the conversations regarding some of the more difficult areas like the elimination of longevity, we have a better chance of reaching agreements with long-term beneficial impacts.”