HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/24/1992 Council Minutes196
COUNCIL CLOSED SESSION AUGUST 24, 1992
CITY OF LINO LAKES
COUNCIL MINUTES
DATE
TIME STARTED
TIME ENDED
MEMBERS PRESENT:
MEMBERS ABSENT :
August 24, 1992
6 :00 P.M.
6:37 P. M .
Reinert, Neal, Kuether, Elliott,; Bergeson
None
Staff Members present: City Administrator, Randy Schumacher and
Clerk - Treasurer Marilyn Anderson.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss a proposal for
settlement of the 49ner's union contract.
Mr. Schumacher explained that the Public Works, Utility
Department and Parks Department maintenance workers have been
working since January 1, 1992 without a union contract.
Negotiations have proceeded with the help of a mediator. A
marathon negotiations session was held last week. Mr. Schumacher
handed each Council Member a proposal for settlement. He noted
that employees involved in this contract tend to compare their
salary and benefits with the Lino Lakes Police Department and
with other cities. Mr. Schumacher noted some of the communities
used for comparison and explained that even in Circle Pines base
salaries are higher than in Lino Lakes.
Mr. Schumacher reviewed the summary handed to the Council
Members. The proposal is for a three (3) year contract and the
basic proposal is for a salary increase of 3% for 1992, 3% for
1993 and 3 1/2% for 1994. He explained the meaning of the
classification of positions and if special training was needed
for each classification. Mr. Schumacher also explained that a
newly employed person receives a salary of 80% of the base pay
for the classification in which he works. After the first year
of service the salary is 90% of the base pay and after the second
year of service the salary is 100% of the base pay.
There was discussion regarding how far negotiations had
progressed. The state of the economy was noted and a Council
Member indicated that other City employees may be facing a salary
freeze in 1993. Mr. Schumacher was asked to explain the logic
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COUNCIL CLOSED SESSION AUGUST 24, 1992
for proposing a larger salary increase for 1994 than 1992 and
1993. Mr. Schumacher explained that there was no particular
logic, it was merely a gamble.
The pros and cons of a three (3) year contract was discussed.
Mr. Schumacher said he has negotiated in good faith and feels
that this is a good proposal. The mediator also indicated that
he felt the proposal was good. Mr. Volk, Public Works Director
has indicated that if the matter is not concluded soon, morale
will be affected. At this time it is an uneasy situation.
Mayor Reinert noted a recent editorial in the St. Paul Pioneer
Press which "hammered" at municipalities for paying employees far
better that at the private and state level. He noted that this
is reality.
The Council discussed wage settlements for non union office
employees in the spring of 1992. Mr. Schumacher explained that
many of these employees received a 3% adjustment. Some support
staff also received comparable worth adjustments. Mayor Reinert
asked if the City offered 3% adjustments for each of the next
three (3) years, would the union members accept the offer. Mr.
Schumacher said no, he had tried. Mayor Reinert said he did not
see the rational for the 3 1/2% increase for 1994. Mr.
Schumacher explained that all other issues were negotiated
downward in exchange for this salary adjustment.
Mr. Schumacher explained that the proposed salary increases for
the next three (3) years will cost the City an extra $35,000.00.
Council Member Kuether said she would like to see some
flexibility in the salary for the third year. Council Member
Bergeson said that he had just been involved with salary
negotiations that concluded with adjustment of 4% the first year,
4% for the second year and 5% for the third year. He noted that
there is no provision for a cost of living increase. The
employees will probably see no net increase in salary. Council
Member Elliott felt that 1/2% increase for the third year was not
worth further negotiations.
The consensus of the Council was to settle the contract for 3%
for 1992, 3% for 1993 and 3 1/2 % for 1994.
The Council adjourned at 6:37 P.M.
These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at a
Council meeting held on September 28, 1 2.
Marilyrh G. Anderson,
Clerk- Treasurer
Vernon F. Reinert,
Mayor
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