HomeMy Public PortalAboutM 1971-06-21 - CC~~9
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING JUNE 21, 1971
The City Council of the City of Lynwood met in an adjourned
regular session in the City Hall, 11330 Bullis Road, on
above date at 4:30 p.m.
Mayor Liewer in the chair.
Councilmen Byork, Liewer, Siokos and Stevens answered
j the roll call.
Councilman Green was absent.
The City Manager informed the Council that Councilman
Green was delayed because of a Library Advisory meeting,
but would arrive later.
The Mayor declared the meeting recessed. Councilman
Green arrived and the meeting was called to order.
The City Manager reviewed events that have taken place
relative to negotiations with the majority representative
and attorney for the Firefighters Association, including a
meeting attended by the Attorney, Majority Representative
and City Manager with a committee composed of City
Council members Liewer and Siokos. He said he anticipated
that the Council would conduct a public hearing on the
matters in dispute; however, prior to such a hearing,
Mr. Webster, Attorney representing the Firefighters
Association has requested a brief meeting with the
City Manager and the Council committee.
At the request of Councilman Siokos, the Mayor declared
~"'"' the meeting adjourned to executive session. Following
the executive session, the Mayor declared a brief
recess in order to have a discussion with the Council
Committee. Following the recess, the meeting was
reconvened and adjourned to executive session.
Upon completion of the executive session, the Meeting
was called to order and the Mayor announced that a
public hearing would follow.
The Manager stated that as a method of resolving the
impasse with the Firefighters Association, the matter
comes to the Council for public hearing. After the
hearing, wherein the Firefighters Association should
be given an opportunity to be heard fully, the Council
may render a decision or continue the hearing to a
later date.
The Mayor declared the hearing open for the purpose
of hearing the Firefighters Association or anyone
interested in addressing the Council.
Mr. James Webster, Attorney representing the Lynwood
Firefighters Association, 3540 Wilshire Boulevard,
r~- Los Angeles, addressed the Council to review the wage
and fringe benefit demands of the Firefighters
Association throughout the course of negotiations
that have taken place with the City Manager. He
provided comparisons of the wage, hours, and
retirement structures of the City of Lynwood with
those of the City of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles
County Fire Protection District, emphasizing the
Salary
negotiations
Firefighters
Association
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Salary disparity which exists. He stated that at the last meeting
negotiation with the Council Committee they proposed a 58.8 hour week,
Firefightersa 5% salary increase, and adoption of the retirement plan
Assn. for widows and orphans. He stated that before the full
Council the offer was repeated with the request and
recommendation that the determination be that the hours
of the firemen be reduced to 58.8 per week, or a
schedule which would average 58.8 as against the 56
hours which they consider to be prevailing, a straight
salary increase of 5% and the adoption of the widows
and orphans clause.
Comparison of salarys for the three classifications
under discussion (firemen, engineers, captains) were
provided and merging with the County Fire Protection
District was discussed. Mr. Webster said the Fire-
fighters Association members are not eager to become
County employees, but because of the great disparity,
they requested previously that the city request a survey
from the District which would indicate the fire protection
it would provide, what the cost comparison would be,
disposition of city equipment and other matters all of
which are subject to negotiation.
Because of a prior appointment, Councilman Stevens
requested that he be excused from the remainder of
the meeting. Councilman Siokos asked for a brief
executive session prior to his departure but was
advised it was not possible unless the hearing were
closed. The City Manager urged that the hearing not
be closed until Mr. Webster and the Firefighters
Association Majority Representative had concluded their
presentation. Councilman Stevens was excused.
Mr. Webster was questioned further about various
aspects of County service and he replied that the
county is flexible in negotiation as to buying equipment,
disposing of unused land, and the only way it can be
analyzed properly is to have the County say what they
can provide.
The Mayor asked Mr. Webster and Mr. Schultz if they
had anything further to say. As there was no response,
the Mayor declared the hearing closed.
Councilman Green complimented Mr. Webster on his
presentation on behalf of the group he represented, and
expressed the hope that upon conclusion of negotiations
informal discussion could be held which would give the
Council a better appreciation of the firefighters problems.
It was moved by Councilman Green, seconded by Councilman
Byork, that the Council grant a 4% salary increase across
the board.
Roll Call:
Ayes: Councilmen Byork, Green, Liewer, Siokos.
Noes: None.
Absent: Councilman Stevens.
The matter of reduction of hours worked per week was
discussed and at the request of the Council, the City
Manager explained the hour structure of the Fire Department,
including pay-back shifts and vacation splits. It was
moved by Councilman Siokos, seconded by Councilman Green,
that the Council approve a reduction in pay-back days from
14 to 11 per year.
Roll Call:
Ayes: Councilmen Byork, Green, Liewer, Siokos,
Noes: None.
Absent: Councilman Stevens.
It was moved by Councilman Green, seconded by Councilman
Liewer, that the Council grant a $50 per year uniform
allowance.
Roll Call:
Ayes: Councilmen
Noes: None.
Absent: Councilman
Byork, Green, Liewer, Siokos.
Stevens.
The City Manager reviewed the items approved thus far,
as follows: (1) 4q increase across the board for
Firemen, Engineers and Captains; (2) Reduction of
three payback days per year from 14 to 11 days; (3)
Uniform allowance of $50 per year for those the
Firefighters Association represents.
The City Manager was questioned about vacation splitting
and in explaining the present policy, he said that one
vacation split-would not create any operational or
administrative problem within the Fire Department.
He also said if the council was to consider permitting a
split, that he would recommend that not more than
one split be considered and that the split must be
determined by the City Manager.
After a brief discussion among members of the Council,
Mr. Webster and Mr. Schultz, in which Mr. Webster
stated they would have no objection to leaving the
Salary
negotiations
Firefighters
Assn.
mechanics of the vacation split to the City Manager, it was
moved by Councilman Siokos, seconded by Councilman
Byork, that the current vacation policy be amended to
permit one vacation split per year, to be handled by
the City Manager and Fire Chief.
Roll Call:
Ayes: Councilmen Byork, Green, Liewer, Siokos, Stevens.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
It was moved by Councilman Green, seconded by Council-
man Byork, that the preceding four points constitute
the determination by the City Council and the
matter of the Firefighters Association terminate
at this point.
Roll Call:
Ayes: Councilmen Byork, Green, Liewer, Siokos.
Noes: None.
Absent: Councilman Stevens.
It was moved by Councilman Siokos, seconded by Council- Adjourn to
man Green, and carried, that the meeting be adjourned 6/23/71
to Wednesday, June 23, 1971, at 4:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m.
~,"~' ,.
'!_ City Clerk, City of Lynwood
APPROVED JULY 6, 1971
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May r of t ity of Lynwood
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