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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 06/02/1982CITY COUNCIL JUNE 2, 1982 The South Burlington City Council held a special meeting on Wednesday, June 2, 1982 at 7:30 pm in the Mini-Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset St. Members Present Paul Farrar, Chairman; Michael Flaherty, William Burgess, Hugh Marvin, Leona Lansing Others Present William Szymanski, City Manager; David Minnich, Assistant City Manager; Joseph Obuchowski, City Attorney; Gilbert Myers, Richard Ward Meet with City Hall Union to continue review of contract Mr. Farrar said the city had gathered information on pay for similar work to this union's both in and out of the private sector. Mr. Minnich passed out copies of that information, and noted that the State prepared an annual update of its compensation survey. 25 firms in this area are listed and job descriptions were included so the information would correlate. Mr. Minnich noted that South Burlington salaries were within the 90th percentile of the hourly rate. He said that he had also compared salaries and fringe benefits with other communities in the area and that Winooski, Shelburne and Colchester were lower by 40%, 20% and 15%, in regard to salaries. With regard to the entire fringe benefit package, this union's was better than anyone else's in the State. Mr. Ward felt there was no question about the findings here. He noted that 2 years ago a person from the State had spent a lot of time in City Hall interviewing people, and as a result, some people in City Hall had their salaries adjusted. He said the data he had thought the Council was looking for was the average percentage increase for wages in Chittenden County, and what hours were worked. Mr. Myers said that Burlington worked from 8-4:30 and had 1 hour for lunch. Wage increases will be between 7.9% and 9%, depending on whether one looks at the city budget or the individual department budgets. These are not final figures, do not include benefits and Mr. Myers did not know if any benefit changes were planned. Mr. Szymanski said he had contacted Burlington earlier in the year and been told that everyone worked a 40 hour week there. Mr. Myers said Colchester worked 9-5 with an hour for lunch and that they anticipate an 8% wage increase this year. Essex works 8-4:30 with 1 hour for lunch and they will receive between 8% and 10% for a wage increase. Winooski works 8-5 with an hour for lunch and the overall alary increase will be 8%, although that will vary within the city from 6% to 10%. Williston works 8:30-5 with a 1/2 hour for lunch and will receive a 7% increase. Shelburne receives a 1 hour lunch, and the South Burlington School administration works 8-4:30 with a 1 hour lunch. Mr. Farrar asked if those figures were on the base or on the rate and was told Mr. Myers had tried to get them on the base, but that was hard to do. Mr. Myers felt the city should try to maintain its position in the work community in the area, and Mr. Farrar noted that the Council felt their offer did that. Mr. Marvin asked about South Burlington's benefits compared to other communities'. He felt it would be helpful to know the dollar value per employee that goes into benefits in the various communities. Mr. Farrar said there was no doubt that the city's package was equal to or better than the packages of other communities in the area and Mr. Marvin felt it would be nice to have that figure. Mr. Szymanski said he had information from the time the State had interviewed the people in City Hall. The union left the room to talk at this point. When they returned, Mr. Myers asked about the union taking the percentage increase equal to the police increase and retaining a 1/2 hour lunch for people who eat in City Hall, and 15 minutes travel time for those who eat away from City Hall, each way. The union then left so the Council could discuss the proposal. When they returned, Mr. Farrar said the Council had a problem with that idea, since they do not wish to treat one employee differently than another. He said that if the hour lunch was really the problem, times could be arranged so that some people could have an hour and others a 1/2 hour, if they wanted. Mr. Ward noted that no one would be supervising those people who came in early or worked late, in order to have a 1 hour lunch, but Mr. Farrar said the Council felt its employees were responsible enough to work without supervision if a system could be set up. The union left to discuss the proposal. When they returned, Mr. Myers said it seemed that both sides were at an impasse and he requested a federal mediator. He said one would not cost anything, would have a lot of experience, and might be an independent third party to help work things out. The union left so the Council could discuss the idea. When the union returned, Mr. Farrar noted that it was the union's legal right to request a mediator, and that if that is what they want, it is all right. He added, however, that the Council felt it had made a fair offer, and one which is reasonable and in keeping with what the city can afford, as well as one which is in line with the positions of surrounding communities, and businesses. The Council's position is also that, until there is a change in the contract, the old rates will stay in effect. Mr. Farrar was not sure a mediator would be free of charge and Mr. Myers said he would check on any cost and on the time frame for having one come. Mr. Farrar said it would be the entire contract which would be mediated, although Mr. Myers felt a mediator would focus on 1 or 2 items. Mr. Flaherty felt the issues were interrelated. The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 pm. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.