Agenda Item Title:
Authorize the Mayor and Finance Director to Sign Agreement between the Local 1031, Council 65, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees AFL-CIO and the City of Rapid City for the Period of January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2022.
Origination Group:
City Council Working Session
Origination Meeting Date:
12/16/2020
City Council Hearing Date:
12/21/2020
Staff Contact:
Jess Rogers
Agenda Item Summary:
This two-year Agreement makes several changes, including: combines AFSCME Library and AFSCME into one contract; changes sick leave and short-term disability leave into bi-weekly accruals, rather than giving a year’s worth on January 1; changes overtime and standby rules to be more in line with federal law (rather than above and beyond); clarifies the definition of the bargaining unit, adding 30+ positions; expands union representation of employees beginning on the first day of employment; puts a five-year grandfather on the existing retirement payout, in favor of a more modest payout of sick and annual leave; removes the limitation on how much sick leave can be used for family illness, as opposed to the employee’s illness; and removes the make-up and procedures of the Healthcare Committee from the contract, to allow that committee more flexibility.
This Agreement also contains three new AFSCME salary scales. The 2019 salary study showed overpayment of employees in certain departments, and underpayment for many positions, particularly utility workers. The new scales and placement plan will shorten the salary range for many positions, preventing overpayment at the end of a career, and will also move utility workers, bus drivers, and other underpaid workers closer to market rate. AFSCME employees will be placed on the new scales on March 1, 2021, which will result in substantial increases for underpaid workers. The Agreement also allows for the possibility of a July 1, 2021 COLA, but the financial conditions for them to receive the COLA likely will not be met. This contains a one-year wage agreement with a wage opener to negotiate 2022 wages.
Funding Source & Fiscal Impact (if applicable):
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