Adopt Resolution #20-316 to Approve the City's 2021 Union Contracts for AFSCME and LELS Captains

The most recent labor agreements with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and Law Enforcement Labor Services (LELS) Captains will expire on December 31, 2020. Staff met with the unions and the City Council several times to discuss contract negotiations specific to wages and health insurance and to address the other outstanding negotiations items. As a result of the meetings, staff reached a tentative agreement between the City of Ramsey and the two unions to settle the 1-year labor agreements, effective January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021.

Staff recommends the City Council approve the 2021 labor agreements with AFSCME and LELS Captains as follows:

Duration - All Unions
1 Years -- January 1, 20 21 through December 31, 2021

Wages / Cost of Living Adjustment 
1) Effective January 1, 2021 -- 2.75% wage increase.
2) A onetime payment to the Captains of $1450.00 payable by January 31, 2021. 
 
Health Insurance for 2021
The City continues to be a member of LOGIS (Local Government Information Systems) which is a consortium of Minnesota local government units. This consortium has many benefits including coverage by the group’s health plan. Employees may choose a health plan that best meets their needs by selecting one of four tiers and choosing between two networks; or they may choose to waive the City’s health insurance.

If approved, the City's total monthly contribution to health insurance, including contributions to the health reimbursement account or the health savings account will be as follows: 

1. Health Insurance:  AFSCME and LELS Captain Union Contracts, as follows:        

1. The City will make the following contributions toward group health insurance coverage for employees working 30 hours per week or more; as well as to purchase $20,000 of basic life insurance for full-time regular employees working 30 hours per week or more and employees participating in PERA phased retirement; and
   1. 2021 monthly health insurance contributions, including the health reimbursement or health savings account contributions as follows; Employee Only (Single) $949.00 to $1,034.50,  Employee and Children at $1,246.00, Employee and Spouse at $1,300.30, and Family at $1,603.80; and

b. 2021 City payment toward the Waiver/Credit in lieu of Coverage will remain at $370.00 per month;

Note: Employees are responsible for paying the difference between the premium and the City’s contribution. 

Life Insurance 2021
If approved, the City will continue to purchase $20,000 of basic life and AD&D insurance for full-time regular employees working 30 hours per week and employees participating in the PERA's phased retirement program. The cost of basic life insurance is $1.00 per month per employee.     

The funding required to settle the first year of the 1-year contracts is included in the proposed  2021 budget. 
 

Adopt resolution #20-316 to settle the 1-year labor agreements with AFSCME and LELS-Captains subject to final review and approval of contract language by the City Attorney.

 Motion to adopt resolution #20-316 to settle the 1-year labor agreements with AFSCME and LELS-Captains subject to final review and approval of contract language by the City Attorney.