04/22/1968 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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163~ ., 4/22/68 . Mayor Cone said he felt the Fire Fighters have very good working conditions and are one of the better paid departments, and asked if they had grievances they felt col- lective bargaining would resolve. Mr. Flynn said there were several areas of concern, one being the individua11s liability if involved in accidents while on duty. He said if a contract were in effect, the employer would be held liable. He said he was not satisfied that a contract would improve the Fire Fighters position with respect to wages, but he did feel it would eliminate concern within the department and provide means of change in the future. The City Attorney said the City now carries liability insurance covering employes in the performance of their duties for the City, that in the event an individual fire- man is named defendant, the insurance company would cover him and defend him. .. Frank Jackson, vice president of Local 851, wanted the Council to be aware of the Fire Fighters opposition to being represented in the employes association. He said they have no need for that organization, and asked the Council to take a position in that respect. . . Councilman McDonald inquired about the present method of conununication with the Fire Fighters, and the Manager explained that individuals or organizations are asked first to refer any problems to the Fire Chief for resolution. If no resolution is made at that level, then they are free to come to the Manager's office with the Chief. Bill Dwyer asked the Mayor what his objections are to recognition of employe groups, and the Mayor replied that he felt the City is now providing good working conditions and pay, that recognition will put pressure on the City to provide more benefits which the City cannot afford in light of the present shortage of funds. Councilman Wingard asked Mr. Flynn about statements concerning removal of the "no strike" clause from their constitution, and Mr. Flynn said the Fire Fighters took action to support the Commission's findings as shown in the report distributed earlier. Mr. Williams said with collective bargaining in effect, the "no strike" clause would be in effect. I It was understood the Council would bring the item back for later discussion and decision on whether to reconsider their previous action. Mr. Anderson moved seconded by Mr. Lassen that Items 1, 2, and 3 of the Committee report be received and filed. Councilwoman Lauris asked for separate discussion of the items, and Mr. Anderson with the consent of the second withdrew his motion. 1 On Item 1, Mrs. Lauris said she felt the present ordinance should be rewritten to gain strict en- forcement of the leash law. Councilman McDonald said he recommended at the committee meeting enact- ment of a strict leash law. - Mrs. Lauris rroved that the City take part in the proposed countywide leash law study being undertaken by Lane County. There was no second, the general feeling being that the Council should be concerned with the problem within the City limits, and that the County's study would take too long. Mrs. Lauris moved seconded by Mrs. Hayward to determine what kind of new law could be written to re- place the present ordinance, taking into consideration Lane County's action. Motion carried. . 2 Mr. Anderson moved seconded by Mr. Lassen that Item 2 of the Conunittee report be received and filed. Motion carried. 3 With regard to Item 3, Mrs. Lauris moved seconded by Mrs. Hayward to extend formal recognition to IAFF Local #851 as bargaining agent for Eugene Fire Department employes, and that the Council set up a conunittee to explore procedures and report back on collective bargaining. In response to a question from Councilman McDonald concerning hiring and firing procedure under civil service, the Manager explained the procedures in effect with regard to po1icement and firemen. He said civil service rules and regulations governing appointment, promotion, and dismissal are more restrictive and dilute the Manager's prerogatives which is not true with regard to other City employes. . Councilman Wingard suggested that, before recognition, a committee be formed comprised of members of the Council, staff, and fire department employes to determine what is to be discussed under collective bargaining. In answer to questioning from Councilman Purdy with regard to the union's "no strike" clause, Mr. Flynn explained if collective bargaining is rejected by the Council, the local membership would vote to ask the International organization to come in, and they then could warrant a strike. Ii The Manager expressed concern about procedure should Local 851 be recognized. He said although the petition presented was signed by nearly all the fire department employes, he felt recognition should require a secret ballot to ensure the employes do want recognition. Mr. Flynn agreed, and said if recognition is extended, an election will be held immediately. . Jim Curtis, Bill Dwyer, and Jerry Dodd questioned the reasons for the Council's reluctance to give recognition. Mayor Cone commented that he felt with recognition there would be a tendency to divert monies from public works projects to the employes. 4/22/68 - 8 _~,~