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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPersonnel Committee - Minutes - 9/12/2003Personnel Committee Minutes September 12, 2003 9:00 am County Board Room Members in Attendance: John Blahnik, David Good , Neil Paulson, Brett Rondeau, Harold Maki Others Present: Katherine Prenn, Paul Susienka, Mark Abeles-Allison, Kris Kavajecz Meeting was called to order at 9:00am by Chairman Blahnik. Motion by , second by to approve the minutes of the July 29, 2003 meeting as presented. Motion Carried. Motion by Rondeau , Second by Good to enter Executive Session pursuant to Wisconsin Statute 19.85(1)(e,c) for the purpose of discussion and possible action regarding negotiation strategy for collective bargaining unit contract and Collective Bargaining with WPPA Local 216. Roll Call Vote: all yes. Motion by Maki, Second by Rondeau to return to open session. Roll Call Vote. All-Yes. Motion Carried. Union Representatives: Kathleen Bratley, Kelly Hanson, Gary Gravesen, and Paul Paulson entered the meeting at this time. Introductions of all participants were made. Abeles-Allison reviewed ground rules for the meeting. Gravesen stated that the union does not have a proposal to bring at this time due to the opener being only wages and health insurance. They would like to discuss the separation of the Dispatch from the Jail. Abeles-Allison handed out the county’s proposal and explained the reasons for the proposed amounts and changes. Gravesen asked for specifics on what the AFSCME union agreed to. The union caucassed at this time. The committee discussed that the union did not bring up the additional opener that they had requested during the last negotiations. The committee decided to notify Mr. Gravesen of the omission as a good will gesture. Abeles-Allison and Prenn spoke directly with Mr. Gravesen to notify him of the additional discussion topic if they chose to discuss it. The committee discussed the situation with the Civilian Communication Operators and the fact that they are currently non-represented. The Committee discussed how, if WPPA chooses to represent the CCO’s, they would fall into the contract, or if they would need to be represented through a separate bargaining unit. Abeles-Allison explained that one of the topics that was not pursued during AFSCME negotiations was the fact that new employees are not covered by medical insurance for 6 months. This becomes a roadblock when hiring new employees. Good commented that he would prefer to see a wage concession from the employee for the first 6 months to offset the cost of the health insurance rather than the county pay the same amount of premium as for all other employees. WPPA representatives returned to the table at this time. Clarification that a 90 day prescription supply is provided for the deductible amount. Clarification of the $20 office co-pay, this amount is not applied to the deductible. Clarification that office co-pay is waived if the visit is billed as therapy. Abeles-Allison explained that the “generic substitution” policy would not apply to the new drug program. Gravesen stated that the union would agree to the same terms as the AFSCME settlement with regard to health insurance changes. Union would like to maintain a side-letter regarding a PEP plan or similar program. Union would also agree to extending the contract for a 3-year term. Union offers a wage proposal of 3% for each of the 3 years and also would propose that current employees that work 7.5 hour shifts be permitted to accumulate 960 hours of sick time per year, up from 900 as currently stated. Position of the county is that all employees in the union should receive the same number of hours, regardless of hire date. Brief discussion regarding the request for 3% increase in 2006. Abeles-Allison explained that Bayfield County offers the highest wages, second only to Douglas County and provided a list of comparables for surrounding counties. Gravesen stated that the quality of our officers is also higher than the surrounding counties. Gravesen stated that they would agree to a 2-1 increase in the 3rd year or they would consider a 2-year agreement. Prenn indicated that the county does also offer a longevity payment for length of service as well as added vacation benefits based on length of service. The County requested to caucass at this time. The union’s proposal was reviewed and discussed. A counter proposal was established. Union representatives were asked to rejoin the meeting at this time. County provided it’s counter proposal: Health insurance as previously indicated by the County and agreed to by WPPA, County offer 3,3,2.5% wage increases. County would consider the side-letter for the PEP plan as long as there were no cost to the county for administrative costs, also agree to move the 900 hour employees to the 960 mark, but also request that the 1200 hour employees also be moved to the 960 hour mark. Union exited the room to caucass at this time. The group resumed the discussion regarding offering health insurance to new employees. Good suggested that new hires should then be offered a lower wage for the initial employment period, and the wage scale should be adjusted. WPPA representatives returned to the meeting at this time. Union propose 3% increase on July 1, 2006 vs January 1, 2006, sick leave remain as it currently is. Health insurance and PEP side letter to remain as proposed and agreed to previously today. Union exited the room at this time to allow the County to Caucass. WPPA representatives returned to the meeting at this time. The county proposed the following: Health insurance changes as agreed to previously today, include side letter regarding PEP plan, sick hours to remain as they currently are, 3-3-2.5% wage increase or alternatively, a 2 year contract at 3% wage increase in each year. The Union exited the room at this time to Caucass. Union representatives returned to the table. Proposal from the union is Health insurance as previously indicated by the County and agreed to by WPPA, 3,3,2.5% wage increases. County would consider the side-letter for the PEP plan as long as there were no cost to the county for administrative costs. The union also propose that there be a side-letter drafted that would allow the union to discuss uniform options with the Sheriff and designee beginning in 2004, and if agreeable, to be implemented in 2005. County Caucassed. The county considered the counter proposal and discussed if it should be accepted. Union returned. County agree to the counter proposal. A copy of the tentative agreement was printed and signed by all parties. Originals were retained by Gravesen and Abeles-Allison. The Tenative Agreement was as follows: a. Maintain the Employer contribution of 90% for health insurance premiums. b. Change the deductible to a $200 / $400 / $600 front-end deductible (in and out of network). c. Change the out-of-pocket expenses to $200 / $400 / $600. d. Change the drug card co-pays to $10 / $20 / $30, maintain that up to a 90 day supply of drug will be received for the co-pay amount. e. Add an office visit co-pay of $20 per visit, if office visits are “therapy”, the co- pay is waived. f. Increase emergency room co-pay to $50 per visit, co-pay is waived if the employee is admitted to the hospital. 2. Wage Rates: January 1, 2004 3% across the board January 1, 2005 3% across the board January 1, 2006 2.5% across the board 3. The County agrees to enter into a side-letter which would allow the union and county to explore the option of a PEP (or similar) plan for retired employees. The county will bear no expense for this plan other than necessary computer software to maintain records. The employees would bear the administrative cost of the program. 4. The County also agrees to enter into a side-letter agreeing that the union and Sheriff, or designee meet beginning in 2004 to discuss uniform options and the impact of changing the current uniform. The parties agree to a re-opener for uniform allowance in 2005. Motion by Good , Second by Rondeau to adjourn. The committee agreed that the meeting scheduled for Sept 19, 2003 will be cancelled. Motion Carried. Meeting adjourned at 12:30 pm .