06/12/1995 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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CLOSED COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER 18, 1993 on the same cycle and all be renegotiated at the same time. Ms. Olson said that it is better to deal with the units that have the ability to strike first. If the package is reasonable there is less of a chance for a strike. Then the City can go to the arbitration groups and say this is what the striking unions settled for. Mayor Reinert said that when a package is negotiated that costs more than what is in the budget, this means that the City cannot hire some new employees as proposed. Ms. Olson said that she will be negotiating with the amount of dollars that the City Council authorizes so this means that the City Council must arrive at a general indication of the dollars that are available and that can be distributed. She noted that she will not propose a settlement that is not authorized. Ms. Olson explained that this meeting is the first of several meetings to get the City Council thinking about the approximate size of the wage and benefit package and to prepare a plan for distribution of the dollars. These figures are then put in the computer and analyzed. Benefits need to be looked at since the LLMA is seeking to improve their fringe benefits. Ms. Olson said she wanted the City Council's input on this matter. Mr. Schumacher also explained that there are dollars in the 1993 budget as well as in the 1994 budget for this contract settlement. Ms. Olson explained that the payline and the Pay Equity Plan will be kept in mind as well as positioning for arbitration. She noted that the final result must be reasonable and affordable. Ms.Olson said that she will consider $50,000.00 as the amount available for settlement of this contract and will re-evaluate her strategy after the restructuring has become final. She will prepare some hypothetical figures for the City Council to consider. Mr. Tesch explained that job descriptions for persons in LLMA are nearly completed, however he has not prepared any projections of the dollars needed for each position. He will be talking individually to each member of LLMA. Council Member Bergeson asked Ms. Olson to give a general estimate of how low salary and benefits are for the members of LLMA. She explained that they would not be within 10%. She explained that she will come back before the City Council and make some projections. Ms. Olson also said she would focus on internal relationships and take a position with an eye to the budget and an eye to arbitration. Council Member Bergeson asked how important it is to talk tough or easy? Does this set the tone for future contracts? Ms. Olson said that she would not be talking tough but rather rational. PAGE 4