Discussion Regarding 2014 Union Health Insurance Re-opener for AFSCME, LELS-Patrol and LELS-Sergeants (Discussion Closed to the Public)

The purpose of this discursion is to come to a consensus to settle the 2014 Union Health Insurance contributions for AFSCME, LELS-Patrol and LELS-Sergeants.

Per Minnesota Statutes 13D.03, staff is requesting that the City Council go into closed session to discuss the City's contributions toward AFSCME and LELS employees' 2014 health insurance.  Staff previously negotiated the 2014 City contributions during the 2013-2014 contract negotiations with the caveat that the unions could request a re-opener if the City received higher than expected premium increases due to Healthcare Reform fees; which turned out to be the case. 

Note:   At the November 26, 2013 work-session, the City Council came to a consensus to consider authorizing "option C" for non-union employees' City health insurance contributions.  Option C will be on tonight's consent agenda for City Council Approval for non-union employees.   Options A-D, as presented at the 11-26-13 work-session are attached.

At the time of this writing, staff is awaiting a response from both AFSCME and LELS with regard to a contributions proposal.   If the unions can come to an agreement within enough time for the City Council to take action at the December 10th meeting, staff will present a case for City Council's action.   If not, both AFSCME and LELS will only receive the contribution amounts previously negotiated and approved the the City Council and a future meeting will be held in January or February.

The funding required for the proposed City health insurance contributions has been accounted for in the preliminary 2014 budget.

Colleen Lasher, Human Resources Manager

A consensus by the City Council to settle the 2014 Union Health Insurance contributions for AFSCME, LELS-Patrol and LELS-Sergeants.