10/11/1976 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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mend pulling anything out because of the relationship of every section to another _ nothing could be deleted without having an impact on some other section. He re- iterated that AFSCME has no contract opening until 1977 so any change could be - made six or twelve months from now and still have no impact on the current contract. He added, in further response to Councilman Bradley, that strike and lock out pro- visions are tied together for nonpublic safety personnel. Staff could not recom- mend any other issues be modified because of legalities and the substantive policy issue involved. Councilman Murray asked for some discussion on the merit of adopting the ordinance now if it was understood that the AFSCME proposals would be discussed in the spring. He didn't want to be locked into one course or another. Neither did Mayor Anderson, saying AFSCME was not affected at this time and may even want to study the issues more themselves in view of the recent change in AFSCME officials. He thought the commitment to the voters was absolute - to pass an ordinance im- mediately upon adoption of the revised charter. Not to do so would certainly affect the credibility of this Council, he said, as well as the integrity of the entire collective bargaining procedure. Councilman Haws agreed, at the same time concurring in concerns expressed by Mrs. Beal. But he thought the ordinance should be adopted now, then there would be time to discuss and make changes wanted later. Councilman Williams concurred. Councilwoman Beal thought the commitment to the voters was to return with an ordinance to which all parties agreed - to adopt an ordinance with one union dissenting, separating those interests, would be a disservice to the labor move- ment and collective bargaining status. She noted the confusion because of the change in AFSCME leadership and the difficulty in dealing with a body that has to e return to its membership and said she felt there should be the opportunity for all three unions to reach an understanding. Mayor Anderson resonded that in pre- senting the revised charter to the voters, the Council never committed itself to getting agreement between all parties; it was indicated at that time that AFSCME did oppose the revision. But the people were informed of that and they wanted to see the charter adopted as revised. Councilman Bradley asked if the Labor Relations Board was tied into the AFSCME contract. Personnel Director answered that it wasn't. In the last round of talks with AFSCME, he said, their contract was changed and it is anticpated that en- forcement would be changed to coincide with the proposed ordinance. Councilwoman Shirey said she would vote against the motion to postpone but she expressed concern about the issues' being brought back for further consideration. Councilman Keller commented that when he and Councilman Murray in public appear- ances had asked for citizen support of the charter, the issue of the right to strike had been discussed at some great length. So the public was aware of that issue. Counclman Murray asked Mrs. Beal what disadvantage she thought there would be to adopting the ordinance now if there was a clear understanding at the same time of the obligation to discuss the AFSCME issues in the spring. Mrs. Beal said it was her understanding that staff would be entering negotiations immediately with the police and fire unions, that it would be "picking off one union against the other two." She didn't think that a proper stance, and she didn't think the unions e wanted it. Vote was taken on the motion to postpone to October 2S Council meet- ing. Motion defeated - Council members Beal and Bradley voting aye; Council members Keller, Haws, Will iams, Murray, Hamel, and Shirey voting no. Lf88 10/11/76 - 13