Adopt Resolution # 16-01-027 to Ratify a Budgeted Market Rate Adjustment for Two Union Positions

The purpose of this case is to seek City Council approval to adjust the wage scale for two positions included in the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) union.  

As the City Council will recall, as part of the 2015/2016 union negotiations process, the City Council approved both the LELS-Patrol and LELS-Sergeants to receive a market rate adjustment, effective April 1, 2016.  In this regard, management and labor discussed the possibility that up to three AFSCME positions appeared to be priced lower than the comparable market.   However, due to the need for a more in-depth study and time restraints, a thorough wage study was not feasible prior to signing the AFSCME contract.  Staff discussed this with the City Council and it was agreed that the needed funding for a possible market rate adjustment would be included in the 2016 budget.

As a result of the study, two of the three pay scales were deemed to be in need of an increase, as follows: the Public Works Maintenance Worker positions will require a one percent (1%) increase, resulting in the pay scale to be adjusted to a range of $20.72 - $25.90 per hour and the Engineering Technician II position will require an eight percent (8%) increase, resulting in the pay scale to be adjusted to a range of $23.93 -  $29.91 per hour.  Staff met with AFSCME regarding the findings and the proposed timeline, stating that, if approved, the wage adjustments would go into effect as of April 1, 2016, as is the case for LELS-Patrol and LELS-Sergeants. 

There are eleven (11) employees working as Public Works Maintenance Workers and one (1) employee in the Engineering Technician II position.    The eleven (11) Public Works Maintenance Workers figure takes into account the employee being reclassified to Mechanic and the back-filling of that vacant position which is scheduled for April 1, 2016.

The funding required for this action is included in the approved 2016 budget and is estimated to be $7,186.

Staff recommends ratifying the market rate adjustments on the Public Works Maintenance Worker positions to a pay range of $20.72 - $25.90 per hour and the Engineering Technician II position to a pay range of  $23.93 - $29.91 per hour, effective April 1, 2016.

Motion to adopt resolution # 2016-01-027 ratifying the market rate adjustments on the Public Works Maintenance Worker positions to a pay range of $20.72 - $25.90 per hour and the Engineering Technician II position to a pay range of  $23.93 - $29.91 per hour, effective April 1, 2016.