Memorandum

City of Lawrence

City Manager’s Office

TO:	David L. Corliss, City Manager
FROM:	Diane Stoddard, Assistant City Manager
CC:	Casey Toomay, Assistant City Manager
DATE:	August 7, 2014
RE:	Consideration of Amendment to the 2012-2015 Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Lawrence and the Lawrence Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 1596 concerning 2015 General Wage Adjustment

The City and the Lawrence Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 1596 have successfully negotiated an amendment to the 2015 year of the current agreement covering years 2012-2015.  The members of the respective negotiation teams should be recognized for their hard work to date on this item.  The negotiation team for the Lawrence Professional Firefighters includes Ryan Hornberger, Nathan Coffman, Aaron Payne, and John Darling.  The fire/medical negotiation team for the City includes City Commissioner Bob Schumm, County Commissioner Mike Gaughan, Chief Mark Bradford, Assistant Douglas County Administrator Sarah Plinsky, Division Chief Bill Stark, Human Resources Manager Lori Carnahan, and Diane Stoddard. 

The amendment was ratified by Lawrence Professional Firefighters membership on August 6.  The City Commission will consider approval of the amendment at its August 12, 2014 meeting.

Background:

The original agreement between the IAFF Local 1596 and the City included a provision for a one percent (1%) general wage adjustment for 2015, subject to an optional reopener clause for the 2015 general wage adjustment that could be initiated by either the Lawrence Professional Firefighters or the City.  The City and the Lawrence Professional Firefighters have been meeting since April to discuss the general wage adjustment provision for 2015.  The amendment will provide for a two percent (2%) general wage adjustment for 2015 for positions represented by the Lawrence Professional Firefighters, which includes firefighters, fire engineers, and fire lieutenants employed by the Lawrence/Douglas County Fire Medical Department. 

City staff and the Lawrence Professional Firefighters leadership jointly recommend approval of this amendment. 

Requested Action:

Authorize the Mayor to execute the amendment to the 2012-2015 agreement with the Lawrence Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 1596 concerning the 2015 General Wage Adjustment.