10C Action 2007 0604 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Fire Services Ad Hoc Report Page 3 of5 EXHIBIT 5 March 3, 2007 a seat at the table and their Governing Bodies have no input or say in the final contract negotiations. The City's contract with AICo Fire requires AICo Fire to consult with the City regarding changes to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOD). Section 5.a.3. "Consultation Re Changes to MOU: ACFD will consult with City regarding any changes to its existing Memorandum of Understanding (MOD) with Alameda County Firefighters Local 55A and 55B or any new MOU which applies to ACFD employees prior to agreeing to such changes or new MOU." .9. The most recent contract with the Firefighters was a 7 year Memorandum of Understanding with raises guaranteed each year. In the years that our own City Employees sacrificed their raises to help keep the Budget balance, the Firefighters were not given the opportunity to help us with that sacrifice. The County held them bound to their contract. AICo Fire is currently in negotiations with the Alameda County Firefighters unions and consistent with Section 5.a.3., the City Manager will be consulted regarding changes to the MOU. 10. This year we will pay $12.4M in salaries and benefits. And we will pay $1.5M in overtime which is 10% of the total contract. AICo Fire uses a constant staffing model which uses overtime as opposed to hiring additional firefighters to cover shifts due to trainings and use of approved leave. This model is actually less expensive than hiring additional personnel, and ensures that firefighters are not to be paid for days they are not needed to work. 11. While our salary calculation is based upon the number of field staff we employ, our overtime calculation is based upon the total overtime of the county. We pay about $24,000 per employee just in overtime. The City calculated overtime at approximately $22k per employee. It should be noted that vacancies increase the overtime per employee calculation. 12. In the last 3 years, the City of San Leandro has sacrificed our Planning Fire Inspector services to offset some of the increased costs. Infact, we are paying more money now for less front line staff than we have ever had. The City directed AICo Fire to not fill the Fire Inspector position and instead handle fire inspection through a part-time consulting contract in order to reduce costs, similar to the personnel cuts made in Police. It remains true, however, that as salaries and the cost of benefits has increased over the past few years, the City is paying more now for services than we have in the past.