1992-11-17 Special CC Minutes3 9
ADJOURNED SPECIAL MEETING OF THE ALAMEDA CITY COUNCIL
NOVEMBER 17. 1992
The Special Meeting convened at 12:14 a.m. [November 18, 1992] with
President Withrow presiding.
ROLL CALL - Present: Councilmembers Arnerich, Camicia, Lucas,
Roth, and President Withrow - 5.
Absent: None.
REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
92-816 Report from the Personnel Director recommending approval
of either the Letter of Understanding for Alameda City Employees
Association [ACEA] or Imposing Layoff. (Continued from 11-13-92
Special Council Meeting, Agenda Item No. 5)
[See Minutes 92-780]
Marion Miller, Alameda, ACEA, stated ACEA is the lowest paid group
in the City, cannot afford cuts, would like Council to live
according to current Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
Marie Stahowski, President, ACEA, noted ACEA Members voted down the
City proposal by 28 voting yes, and 45 no; want Council to honor
the contract [MOU], and also request layoffs not be imposed;
cutback of hours would be a disservice to the City.
Dick Rudloff, Alameda, President, Management & Confidential
Employees Association, stated on November 13, Council passed a
budget adjustment instituting a mandatory unpaid four day work
furlough, with pay decrease spread out for the remainder of year;
since furlough was approved prior to current item being carried
over, he is present to request Council reconsider decision and
tonight by motion rescind mandatory furlough program.
Councilmember Camicia agreed that, with furloughs one day every
month, this would be hitting people twice, so Council could remove
[four-day] furlough considered Friday night [11/13].
Councilman Arnerich stated he opposed the furlough and still does,
because workers who have not been receiving pay raises will now be
experiencing hardships, and he will make a motion to reconsider.
Councilmember Roth seconded the motion.
The City Attorney stated technically the motion must be made by
someone in the majority who voted.
Councilmember Camicia stated he would make the motion to
reconsider.
Councilman Arnerich stated he had made an error and therefore he
was in the majority; and will make a motion.
November 17, 1992
Councilmember Roth seconded the motion.
The motion to reconsider was carried by the following voice vote:
Ayes: Councilmembers Arnerich, Camicia, Roth and President Withrow
- 4. Noes: Vice Mayor Lucas - 1. Absent: None.
Councilmember Camicia moved that Council's motion at the Special
Council Meeting of November 13, regarding the City Manager's report
on Budget Adjustments, be amended to delete the four-day work
furlough [See 92-7781. Councilman Arnerich seconded the motion
which carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Councilmembers
Arnerich, Camicia, Roth and President Withrow - 4. Noes: Vice
Mayor Lucas - 1. Absent: None.
The Personnel Director explained the question before Council now is
the item continued from November 13th regarding ACEA; the
bargaining unit voted not to approve the Letter of Understanding,
therefore staff is recommending that in order to comply with the
decisions Council previously made, Council approve the layoff; this
layoff will mean that employees will be given their 4% raise by
contract, then by reducing their hours by that percentage, their
take-home pay will be what it was, monthly, for the prior year.
Councilmember Roth inquired if a motion could be made to impose the
ACEA employees one day [in four weeks] layoff in a manner allowing
ACEA to reconsider the 4-9 work week.
The City Manager stated he sees no problem with that.
Councilmember Roth so moved.
The City Attorney confirmed that it is legal to adopt the Personnel
Director's recommendation that the City impose the furlough of one
day every two consecutive pay periods unless the Letter of
Understanding is adopted by the ACEA. ACEA voted it down tonight,
however, they could reconsider in light of [Council's] action.
Vice Mayor Lucas stated the concern is the City's finances and it
is costing $20,000 every month the decision is delayed.
The Personnel Director stated the motion is the layoff would go
forward now.
Vice Mayor Lucas clarified the arrangement of the hours is the only
item of discussion; and the Personnel Director agreed.
The City Attorney stated the Personnel Director is recommending
Council impose the layoff effective immediately unless they [ACEA]
adopt the Letter of Understanding which calls for a mandatory
choice of a number of options.
Vice Mayor Lucas moved Council proceed with recommendation of staff
of a layoff of 7 1/2 or 8 hours during each consecutive pay period.
November 17, 1992
Councilmember Roth clarified his motion included that, plus,
ACEA wanted to reconsider, they could.
Councilmember Camicia seconded Vice Mayor Lucas's motion.
The Personnel Director stated, even if the motion does not include
reconsideration of the MOU, she would bring it directly to Council
immediately.
Pamela Sibley, ACEA, stated ACEA has a contract signed in good
faith and Council passing the budget, eliminating that increase,
shows intent.
Councilmember Camicia pointed out recession impacts.
The Personnel Director stated the implementation of the first
layoff day can be delayed for at least two weeks which would give
[ACEA] time to consider matter and come back.
Tonie Jones, Operating Engineers, Local 3, affiliates of Alameda
City Employees Association (ACEA), thanked Council for deleting
excess furlough; the budget is millions of dollars and the group
believes the $160,000 to be saved is not a big item, the reduced
work week has done nothing for the budget and no layoffs should be
made.
Councilmember Camicia stated this is an emotional issue but it is
tied to the budget.
Vice Mayor Lucas stated she is not sure employees understand how
much the private sector has been reduced, and employees are
fortunate to have a job.
The Personnel Director stated Council is not proposing to cut pay,
but to not raise pay; whatever is done tonight, if ACEA can come up
with a solution that would suit them, she will present it to
Council immediately.
Councilmember Roth stated Council has tried to keep jobs and let
ACEA employees take the same amount of money home, and he believes
that is a fair approach.
Councilman Arnerich commented on the thousands of jobs eliminated
in California, many companies that have implemented 4-9 work weeks;
and Council has attempted to keep employees working.
Vice Mayor Lucas's motion carried by unanimous voice vote - 5.
November 17, 1992
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ADJOURNMENT
President Withrow adjourned the meeting at 12:59 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
of
DIANE B. B. FELSCH, CMC
City Clerk
The agenda for this meeting was posted in advance in accordance
with the Brown Act.
November 17, 1992