REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
AND RECORD OF ACTION
September 12, 2023
FROM
DAN MUNSEY, Fire Chief/Fire Warden, San Bernardino County Fire Protection District
DIANE RUNDLES, Assistant Executive Officer, Human Resources Department
SUBJECT
Title
Memorandum of Understanding with the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 12 Representing Employees in General Fire Support Unit
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Acting as the governing body of the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District, approve the Memorandum of Understanding between the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District and the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 12, representing employees in General Fire Support Unit, effective September 9, 2023, through February 28, 2026.
(Presenter: Diane Rundles, Assistant Executive Officer, 387-5570)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Create, Maintain and Grow Jobs and Economic Value in the County.
Improve County Government Operations.
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
Ensure Development of a Well-Planned, Balanced, and Sustainable County.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of additional Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will be funded by revenue sources of the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District (SBCFPD), as reflected in the following table:
|
Fiscal Year |
Estimated Ongoing Cost Increases |
|
2023-24 |
$233,000 |
|
2024-25 |
$436,000 |
|
2025-26 |
$549,000 |
|
Ongoing |
$552,000 |
In addition to the ongoing costs, there are estimated one-time costs totaling $33,200 in 2023-24 for the one-time lump-sum payment.
Budget adjustments for 2023-24 costs are not requested at this time but will be included, if needed, on a future budget report presented to the Board of Directors for approval. Sufficient appropriation for costs in subsequent years will be included in future recommended budgets.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Representatives of San Bernardino County (County), under direction of the Board of Directors (Board), met and conferred with representatives of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 12 (IUOE) to reach a successor agreement covering wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment for employees in the General Fire Support Unit (Unit). After several bargaining sessions, the parties reached agreement on the proposed MOU, which contains the following terms:
• Implement a 3% across-the-board wage increase effective following Board approval; a 3% across-the-board wage increase effective February 24, 2024; and a 3% across-the-board wage increase effective February 22, 2025.
• Make administrative changes to the eligibility for Medical and Dental Plan Coverage and Medical Emergency Leave.
• Incorporate previously approved Side Letter Agreement recognizing the June 19th holiday.
• Increase the holiday maximum accrual balance.
• Update leave provisions in compliance with changes in California law.
• Increase the Medical Premium Subsidy for all coverage levels effective following Board approval, July 13, 2024, and July 12, 2025.
• Increase boot allowance to $250 per fiscal year effective fiscal year 2024-25.
• Increase County match contribution to the County’s deferred compensation plan to 1% of base salary upon completion of one year of County service, effective following Board approval.
• Establish new County contribution tiers to the Retirement Medical Trust of 1% of base salary upon completion of one year of County service, 1.5% of base salary upon completion of five years of County service, 2% of base salary upon completion of 10 years of County service, and 2.5% of base salary upon completion of 15 years of County service.
• Establish a new Longevity Pay tier of 1% at 10 years of service and increase current Longevity Pay tier at 15 years of service to 3%.
• Establish a 2.5% new top step for all classifications, effective November 4, 2023, and a new 2.5% top step effective August 24, 2024.
• Establish a 1% equity increase to the Equipment Parts Chaser, Fire Equipment Specialist, Fire Equipment Technician I, Fire Equipment Technician II, Maintenance Specialist, SCBA Technician and Vehicle Parts Specialist classifications, effective September 6, 2025.
• Increase the Red Card Certification and Advanced PPE Cleaning and Inspection Training Certification Differential to $0.50 per hour effective the pay period following Board approval.
• Increase tool allowance to $700 per fiscal year effective December 30, 2023.
• Establish a one-time lump-sum payment of $1,000 for eligible employees to be paid on or about October 4, 2023.
• Increase Mechanic Certification Differentials to $1.75 per hour for California Fire Mechanic II certification, and to $2.05 per hour for California Fire Mechanic III certification, effective February 24, 2024.
• Establish new Automotive Service Excellence Differential tier of $0.60 per hour for three certifications effective February 24, 2024.
• Add mutually exclusive language to the California Fire Mechanic certification and Automotive Service Excellence Differential.
IUOE has notified the County that the Unit has ratified the proposed MOU. The proposed MOU, if approved, will extend the terms and conditions of employment for the Unit effective September 9, 2023, through February 28, 2026.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Cynthia O’Neill, Principal Assistant County Counsel, 387-5455) on August 11, 2023; Human Resources (Diane Rundles, Assistant Executive Officer, 387-5570) on August 2, 2023; Finance (Tom Forster, Administrative Analyst, 387-4635) on August 15, 2023; and County Finance and Administration (Matthew Erickson, County Chief Financial Officer, 387-5423) on August 22, 2023.