HomeMy WebLinkAboutFFA MOU Jan 1 2005 through Dec 31 2005CITY OF NATIONAL CITY
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
BETWEEN
NATIONAL CITY
FIREFIGHTERS' ASSOCIATION
AND
CITY OF NATIONAL CITY
CALIFORNIA
January 1, 2005 - December 31, 2005
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING CONCERNING WAGES AND OTHER
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF
NATIONAL CITY AND THE NATIONAL CITY FIREFIGHTERS' ASSOCIATION,
IAFF LOCAL 2744 FOR THE FOLLOWING PERIOD OF TIME:
CALENDAR YEAR 2005
The representatives of the City Manager of the City of National City, for and on behalf of
the City Council of National City, have met and conferred with the representatives of the National
City Firefighters' Association, an organization representing employees of the City of National City,
in accordance with the provisions of Section 3500 et. seq., of the Government Code of the State
of California, and;
As a result of meeting and conferring in good faith with said Group, agreement has been
reached on the following terms and conditions of employment as applied to those employees who
are members of and represented by the Association; and the Memorandum of Understanding
concerning said agreed terms and conditions of employment has been approved by the City Council
of the City of National City on January 18, 2005
For the CITY:
sj
CHRIS/ZAPATA
City Manager
fir---
ALFREDO LOPEZ
City Representative
DON CONDON
City Representative
01/(
RYAN HYLAND
City Representative
For the NCFFA, IAFF Local 2744:
VIN KILLACK
President
LAR Y C. BECK
FFA Representative
SCOTT ROBINSON
FFA Representative
WILLIAM E. REED
FFA Representative
R `'EDINA
FFA Representative
Date
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE
TITLE PAGE
Article 1 Recognition/Implementation 1
Article 2 Work Week 2
Article 3 Uniform Allowance 3
Article 4 Out -Of -Class Pay 4
Article 5 Holidays 5
Article 6 Leave Eligibility And Procedure 7
Article 7 Annual Vacation Leave 8
Article 8 Military Leave 11
Article 9 Family Care Leave 12
Article 10 Court Leave 13
Article 11 Sick Leave With Pay 14
Article 12 Compensation Plan 20
Article 13 "Y" Rate 22
Article 14 Forty Hour Assignment Pay 23
Article 15 Revision Of The Compensation Plan 24
Article 16 Overtime 25
Article 17 Longevity Pay 26
Article 18 Employee & Dependent Health & Dental Insurance 27
Article 19 Employee Life Insurance 28
Article 20 Long Term Disability Insurance Program 29
Article 21 Public Employees' Retirement System 30
Article 22 Salaries 31
Article 23 Call Back And Standby/On-Call 33
Article 24 Shift Exchanges 34
Article 25 Training 35
Article 26 Company -Level Staffing 36
Article 27 Management Rights 38
Article 28 Terms of Provisions 39
Article 29 Definitions 40
Article 30 Employee Grievance Procedure 43
Side Letter
NCFFA MOU 2005
50
ARTICLE 2
WORK WEEK
The City agrees to cooperate with the Firefighters' Local 2744 to retain the fifty-six (56) hour work
week for Fire Suppression personnel, and the forty (40) hour work week for Staff personnel. The City
agrees to meet and confer with the Firefighter's Local 2744 prior to making adjustments to the
twenty-four (24) hour duty shift.
(A) Fire Suppression - Fifty-six (56) hours shall constitute the normal work week for
personnel assigned to this division. The normal shift length for personnel assigned to
this division shall be twenty-four (24) hours. The normal platoon change shall occur at
0800 (8:00 a.m.).
(B) Forty Hour Assignment - Forty (40) hours shall constitute the normal work week for
personnel temporarily assigned to the prevention or administration divisions. The
normal work day for personnel assigned to this division shall be eight (8) hours, and
begin at 0800 (8:00 a.m.) daily. Such assignment shall not exceed twelve (12)
months, except for those positions designed and filled as permanent 40 hour
assignments or with the consent of the temporarily assigned employee and approval of
the Chief.
(C) 9/80 Assignment - Employees on a forty hour assignment are eligible to participate in
the "Alternative 9/80 Work Schedule," subject to approval of the Fire Chief and in
accordance with the restrictions and/or requirements for the "Alternative 9/80 Work
Schedule" set forth in the side letter to the Memorandum of Understanding currently in
effect between the City and the National City Municipal Employees' Association.
NCFFA MOU 2005
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ARTICLE 4
OUT -OF -CLASS PAY
This program will provide compensation at the salary range for the classification to which an Out -of -
Class assignment has been made. Eligibility requirements and pay for an Out -of -Class assignment are
as follows:
1. A Battalion Chief may be assigned to work as Fire Chief or other higher ranking position, and
he/she shall receive a 5% acting pay over current Battalion Chief's base salary for the time of
the assignment.
2. A Fire Captain may be assigned to work as a Battalion Chief and he/she shall receive a 5%
acting pay over current Captain's base salary for the time of the assignment. To be qualified
for the acting position of Battalion Chief, a person must meet the current qualifications for
Battalion Chief.
3. To be qualified for acting position of Captain, a person must be certified by the department to
act in the position of Captain; or, if no certified Captains are available, employee must be on
the current or most recent promotional eligibility list for Captain; or, if no list is available, the
employee must possess the current qualifications for promotion to Captain. Employees shall
receive 5% over their base salary for acting time.
4. To be qualified for the acting position of Engineer, a person must be certified by the
department to act in the position of Engineer; or, if no certified Engineers are available,
employee must be on the current or most recent promotional eligibility list for Engineer; or, if
no list is available, the employee must possess the current qualifications for promotion to
Engineer. Employees shall receive 5% over their base salary for acting time.
5. When the Deputy Fire Marshal is assigned to work as Fire Marshal, he/she shall receive a 5%
acting pay over current Deputy Fire Marshal's base salary for the time of the assignment.
6. These requirements are not intended to limit the Fire Chief from appointing any employee to an
acting capacity or position when circumstances are such that rated or certified personnel are
not readily available after reasonable attempts have been made to use rated or certified
personnel.
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NCFFA MOU 2005
Article 5 - Holidays
Page 6
If a holiday falls on Saturday, the preceding Friday will be observed as a holiday. If the holiday falls on
Sunday, the next following Monday will be observed as a holiday.
Section 4 Fire Suppression Holiday Work Schedule
The normal workday on holidays for employees assigned to Suppression (56-hour week) shall consist
of daily morning routine, answering emergency calls and the performance of assigned supervisory
duties. For purposes of this section, the following days shall be modified work days:
1. New Year's Day (January 1st)
2. Memorial Day (4th Monday in May)
3. 2nd Sunday in April
4. Independence Day (July 4th)
5. Labor Day (1st Monday in September)
6. Thanksgiving Day (4th Thursday in November)
7. Christmas Day (December 25th)
8. Sunday after 1300 (Sunday work schedules will be reviewed each January for
possible adjustments after conferring with the FFA)
The Fire Chief shall designate that the holiday work schedule be followed on days appointed by the
President of the United States or by the Governor of California for a public fast, thanksgiving or
holiday and approved by Council.
The provisions of the other sections of this article do not apply to observance of the Fire Suppression
holiday work schedule.
Section 5
In lieu of holiday time off, Battalion Chiefs shall receive 11.1 hours of base salary; Fire Captain, 11.0
hours of base salary; Fire Engineers, 10.9 hours of base salary; and Firefighters, 10.7 of base salary
for each 28 day work period. However, those suppression personnel temporarily assigned to a 40-
hour work schedule shall not work on fixed holidays observed by Fire Management and that time off
will be charged against their vacation accrual.
NCFFA MOU 2005
ARTICLE 7
ANNUAL VACATION LEAVE
Section 1
All employees shall be entitled to annual vacation leave with pay.
Section 2 Accrual Rates
(A) All personnel shall be governed by the following vacation accrual rates per pay periods of
service:
Pay Cycles
Fire Suppression Personnel
40 hour Assignment
Permanent
0 - 130 pay cycles
5.54 hours per pay cycle
3.08 hours per pay cycle
131 - 390 pay cycles
7.39 hours per pay cycle
4.62 hours per pay cycle
390+ pay cycles
9.24 hours per pay cycle
6.15 hours per pay cycle
Section 3 Conversion of Vacation Benefits
Fire Suppression employees switching from a 56 hour to a 40 hour work/week shall for purposes of
time sheet reporting, report hours for purposes of pay at the rate of 1 .4 hours for each actual hour on
paid status. Those Fire Suppression Employees who volunteer to remain on a 40-hour assignment for
more than 12 months shall accrue the same vacation as the permanent 40-hour assignment (see
above.)
Example:
NCFFA MOU 2005
Actual hours worked
Conversion Rate
Worked Hours to be reported on timesheet
Actual vacation hours
Conversion rate
Vacation hours to be reported on timesheet
-8-
40.00
1.40
56.00
40.00
1 .40
56.00
Article 7 - Annual Vacation Leave Page 10
Section 7 Terminal Vacation Leave
Upon termination of employment for any cause, an eligible employee shall be entitled to base salary in
lieu for the number of accumulated vacation hours credited to the employee's account under the
provisions of this section. All vacation granted upon completion of an employee's last day of work
shall be a lump sum payment termed "terminal vacation pay" and shall be paid at their annual average
rate of base salary.
Section 8
Upon notice of opportunity from the Fire Chief, requests to sell -back accrued vacation may be
submitted for approval by the Fire Chief.
NCFFA MOU 2005
ARTICLE 9
FAMILY CARE LEAVE
Refer to City-wide Council Policy on Family Leave Policy.
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NCFFA MOU 2005
ARTICLE 11
SICK LEAVE WITH PAY
The intent of this Article is to provide a continuity of full salary to those employees who are unable,
because of illness or injury, to perform the duties of their positions or who would expose fellow
workers or the public to contagious disease and are thereby forced to be absent from employment,
and to provide necessary time off from work for unexpected medical and dental care, subject
administrative regulations designed to prevent malingering or abuse of these privileges.
Section 1 Sick Leave Definition
Sick leave is the necessary absence from duty of an employee because of:
1. Illness, injury or exposure to a contagious disease suffered by an employee.
2. The serious disability of the employee while on a scheduled vacation.
3. The absence of an employee for authorized medical or dental care.
4. The care of a family member meeting the requirements of Federal Family Medical Leave
Act or California Family Rights Act
Section 2 Sick Leave Earning and Accumulation
1. 56-hour Fire Suppression personnel of the Fire Department shall earn 5.54 hours of sick
leave for each full pay cycle of employment. Permanent 40-hour employees shall earn
3.69 pay cycle.
2. Accumulated Sick Leave: Each permanent or probationary 56-hour employee covered
by this Memorandum shall, on July 30, 1980, be eligible to accumulate sick leave up to
a maximum of 720 hours, (herein called "accumulative sick leave"). Sick leave accrual
will be credited on the last day of each pay period up to the 720-hour maximum
limitation. Permanent 40-hour employees may accumulate up to 514 hours.
3. Frozen Sick Leave Balance: Employees hired on or before June 30, 1980 and who
have an existing sick leave balance on June 30, 1980 in excess of 720 hours, will be
"frozen" at their June, 1980 sick leave balance levels on July 1, 1980. (Herein called
"frozen sick leave balance"). Said frozen sick leave balance will be maintained as a
separate account.
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NCFFA MOU 2005
Article 11 - Sick Leave With Pay Page 16
(2) Absence that is chargeable to sick leave in accordance with this shall be charged in an
amount not smaller than one (1) hour for the first hour of absence; thereafter, in
increments of not less than fifteen (15) minutes.
Section 5 Sick Leave Compensation
(1) In order to receive compensation while on sick leave, the employee shall notify:
(a) The immediate supervisors; or
(b) The department head; or
(c) In the event of the unavailability of either, the senior representative available.
(2) Notification shall be made prior to or not later than the beginning of the work day/shift
in the employee's respective department.
(3) The department head may waive the above requirements if, in his opinion, an
emergency or other exceptional circumstances so warrants.
Computation of sick leave shall not include regular days off or holidays, provided these
are not in conflict with the established schedule within each department.
Section 6 Physician's Statement Required
(1) When absence is for more than three (3) consecutive working days, the department head may
require the employee to furnish a certificate or statement from a regular licensed and practicing
physician, at the employee's own expense, whose license will be honored by the County
Health Officer, indicating the nature and duration of the employee's incapacity, or other
adequate evidence if the employee was not examined by a physician. The appointing authority
may require evidence of incapacity in cases of short periods of absence.
(2) The department head is responsible for sick leave during the first three days before the filing of
a physician's certificate is required. This responsibility may be implemented by a visitation or
any other reasonable method deemed necessary by the department head. Sick leave with pay
shall be authorized by the department head subject to verification of the employee's eligibility
by the Personnel Director.
NCFFA MOU 2005
Article 11 - Sick Leave With Pay Page 18
For employees hired on or before June 30, 1980, sick leave payoff upon retirement shall be computed
as follows:
1. Frozen sick leave balance upon date of retirement, and
2. Accumulative sick leave balances upon retirement.
Equals Sick leave payoff, however, in no event shall the payoff exceed 360
hours.
Section 11 Sick Leave Reporting for Payroll Purposes
Reports of absences of employees must be made to the City Manager at the same time the
department head files his payroll report. The department head who fails to report the absence of an
employee from duty and thus enables the employee to receive pay in excess of the amount to which
he is legally entitled shall be held liable for the amount illegally paid.
Section 12 Evidence of Cause of Absence
In all cases of absence because of sickness or injury of the employee or illness or death in the
employee's family, the employee may be required to furnish to the appointing authority satisfactory
evidence substantiating the facts justifying such leave. Failure to furnish such evidence upon request
shall be sufficient reason for denying the leave of absence with pay.
Section 13 Sick Leave Incentive Pay
(a) 56 Hour Work Week
Sworn members of the Fire Department working on a twenty-four (24) hour shift basis using
forty-eight (48) hours of sick leave or less may convert fifty (50%) percent of their remaining
yearly sick leave at annual base salary. Remaining yearly sick leave not converted to pay shall
be carried over and accumulated for use when needed.
Pay shall be computed based on the following schedule and all computations shall be rounded
to the nearest whole hour:
Remaining Annual Sick Leave Accrual
at End of Fiscal Year
Hours that may be converted at
annual base salary
56 HOUR WORK WEEK
56 HOUR WORK WEEK
144 Hours
72 Hours
132 Hours
66 Hours
120 Hours
60 Hours
108 Hours
54 Hours
96 Hours
48 Hours
Less than 96 Hours
No Payoff
NCFFA MOU 2005
ARTICLE 12
COMPENSATION PLAN
Section 1 Salary Advancement
The Compensation Plan of the City of National City has the following Characteristics:
(1) The salary range for Firefighter consists of seven (7) steps, "A" through "G"; the
ranges for other classifications consist of five (5) steps each ("A" through "E").
(2) The increase from one step to the next step on each range is as indicated in the Salary
Schedule.
Salary advancement for each employee shall not be automatic, but shall depend upon the increased
value of an employee to the City, as reflected by the recommendations of the employee's supervisor
and department head, and all other pertinent evidence. The success of the Compensation Plan
depends upon incentives which will encourage employees to put forth increasing efforts as they
advance through the salary steps of the salary range.
Section 2 Salary Steps
The steps of the range shall be interpreted and applied as follows: the second, third, fourth , fifth,
sixth and seventh salary steps are merit and seniority adjustments to encourage an employee to
continue to improve his work:
(A) The first base salary step (as shown in the schedule for base salary) is the minimum
rate and will normally be the hiring rate. Appointment may be made to other than the
normal entering salary step upon the recommendation of the department head and
upon the approval of the City Manager, when it is decided that such action is in the
best interests of the City.
(B) The second salary step: When 13 full pay cycles are completed after hire into a
permanent position, the employee is eligible for consideration for this salary
advancement. This salary advancement shall be made only after a satisfactory
performance evaluation and the Fire Chief recommends the advancement subject to
approval by the City Manager.
(C) The third salary step - When 13 full pay cycles are completed at the 2" step in a
permanent position, the employee is eligible for consideration for this salary
advancement. This salary advancement shall be made only after a satisfactory
performance evaluation and the Fire Chief recommends the advancement subject to
approval by the City Manager.
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NCFFA MOU 2005
ARTICLE 13
"Y" RATE
Step "Y" of the salary range for any class is hereby defined as any rate of pay in excess of Step "E" of
the range for the class. An employee shall be paid at Step "Y" solely under one of the following two
(2) conditions:
(a) Upon the reduction of the maximum salary rate for a class, an employee having other
than provisional status who immediately prior to such time was paid at a higher rate for
such class than the new maximum rate shall, in the absence of any contrary orders by
the City Council for economy reasons, continue to be paid at the former rate.
(b) Any employee who is reclassified from a class in which said employee has acquired
permanent status to a class with a lower maximum rate of pay may, at the discretion
of the City Manager, continue to receive the same rate of pay or may have said salary
reduced.
In the event of an increase in the salary rate applicable to a class, regardless of the method by which
such increase is accomplished, any employee who immediately prior thereto has been paid at Step "Y'
shall receive no increase unless the increased salary for employees at Step "E" for the class exceeds
the salary already being paid to said employee in which case the employee shall be paid at Step "E".
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NCFFA MOU 2005
ARTICLE 15
REVISION OF THE COMPENSATION PLAN
In the absence of any contrary orders by the City Council for reasons of economy, the following
method shall be observed in determining the step at which each employee shall be paid beginning the
effective date of a change of the maximum salary for said employees' class or position:
(a) If the maximum salary is raised, the step at which the employee will be paid shall not
be affected thereby.
(b) If the maximum salary is lowered, the employee should be paid at the rate in the new
range which is the same as the rate to which he was paid in the former range. If the
maximum rate of the new range is lower than the employee's salary in the former
range the employee may, pursuant to Article 14, be paid at the "Y' rate.
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NCFFA MOU 2005
ARTICLE 17
LONGEVITY PAY
In addition to other compensation paid for the services of employees, longevity pay for continuous and
uninterrupted service shall be continued at the same level for those employees receiving longevity pay
as of it on June 30, 1984. No employees not receiving longevity pay as of that date will be eligible to
receive it in the future; no employee currently receiving it, will be eligible for increase in longevity pay.
Current levels of longevity pay are:
(a) After five (5) years of continuous and uninterrupted service the sum of $10.00 per
month;
(b) After ten (10) years of continuous and uninterrupted service the sum of $15.00 per
month;
(c) After fifteen (15) years of continuous and uninterrupted service the sum of $20.00 per
month;
(d) After twenty (20) years of continuous and uninterrupted service the sum of $25.00 per
month;
(e) After twenty-five (25) years of continuous and uninterrupted service the sum of
$30.00 per month, which shall be the maximum payable.
Vacations, sick leave, military leave and absence authorized by the Fire Chief of National City shall not
be considered as interruption of service.
In the event an officer or employee ceases to be employed by National City for a reason other than
military service or lay-off, all rights to longevity pay shall be forfeited and expire, and if said officer or
employee is subsequently re-employed by the City, said employee or officer shall not be entitled to any
longevity pay by reason of any prior employment.
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NCFFA MOU 2005
ARTICLE 19
EMPLOYEE LIFE INSURANCE
As a benefit to full-time employees covered by this Memorandum of Understanding, the City will
provide a group life insurance program. The benefits and limitations of the Life Insurance Program are
to be designed cooperatively by the Employees' Association, Insurance Carrier and the City. The City
will provide $15,000 Life Insurance with Accidental Death and Dismemberment as a City paid benefit.
In the event the cost of providing Employee Life Insurance exceeds the established City contribution,
employee must pay the excess amount.
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NCFFA MOU 2005
ARTICLE 21
PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM
Section 1
Consistent with the Government Code of the State of California, employees are local safety members
of the Public Employees' Retirement System and are entitled to optional benefits as indicated in the
December 12, 1989, amendment to contract between the Board of administration of PERS and the
City Council.
Section 2
The City's contribution for the employee's share of the cost of the Public Employees' Retirement
System shall continue to be nine (9) percent, and the City will report the Employee Paid Member
Contribution of 9% of employee's share as gross pay for purposes of highest single year retirement
benefit effective at the start of Fiscal Year 2002-03.
Section 3
The City's P.E.R.S. contract includes the "Highest Single Year" option at the City's expense.
Section 4
The City provides a 3% at 50 PERS Retirement Benefit for represented employees.
Section 5
After ratification of this Agreement by the City Council, the City will request an actuarial study from
CALPERS on the cost of implementing the Level IV Survivors Benefit. When received, the City and
FFA will re -open negotiations on this issue only and will implement that benefit if the cost is not
significant.
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NCFFA MOU 2005
CITY OF NATIONAL CITY
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
BETWEEN
NATIONAL CITY
FIREFIGHTERS' ASSOCIATION
AND
CITY OF NATIONAL CITY
CALIFORNIA
January 1, 2005 - December 31, 2005
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING CONCERNING WAGES AND OTHER
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF
NATIONAL CITY AND THE NATIONAL CITY FIREFIGHTERS' ASSOCIATION,
IAFF LOCAL 2744 FOR THE FOLLOWING PERIOD OF TIME:
CALENDAR YEAR 2005
The representatives of the City Manager of the City of National City, for and on behalf of
the City Council of National City, have met and conferred with the representatives of the National
City Firefighters' Association, an organization representing employees of the City of National City,
in accordance with the provisions of Section 3500 et. seq., of the Government Code of the State
of California, and;
As a result of meeting and conferring in good faith with said Group, agreement has been
reached on the following terms and conditions of employment as applied to those employees who
are members of and represented by the Association; and the Memorandum of Understanding
concerning said agreed terms and conditions of employment has been approved by the City Council
of the City of National City on January 1 8 , 2005
For the CITY:
CHRIS/ZAPATA
City Manager
ALFREDO LOPEZ
City Representative
(.'1‘N
DON CONDON
City Representative
RYAN HYLAND
City Representative
For the NCFFA, IAFF Local 2744:
VIN KILLACK
President
LAR Y (. BECK
FFA Representative
/ZZ--
SCOTT ROBINSON
FFA Representative
WILLIAM E. REED
FFA Representative
FFA Representative
Date
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE
TITLE PAGE
Article 1 Recognition/Implementation 1
Article 2 Work Week 2
Article 3 Uniform Allowance 3
Article 4 Out -Of -Class Pay 4
Article 5 Holidays 5
Article 6 Leave Eligibility And Procedure 7
Article 7 Annual Vacation Leave 8
Article 8 Military Leave 11
Article 9 Family Care Leave 12
Article 10 Court Leave 13
Article 11 Sick Leave With Pay 14
Article 12 Compensation Plan 20
Article 13 "Y" Rate 22
Article 14 Forty Hour Assignment Pay 23
Article 15 Revision Of The Compensation Plan 24
Article 16 Overtime 25
Article 17 Longevity Pay 26
Article 18 Employee & Dependent Health & Dental Insurance 27
Article 19 Employee Life Insurance 28
Article 20 Long Term Disability Insurance Program 29
Article 21 Public Employees' Retirement System 30
Article 22 Salaries 31
Article 23 Call Back And Standby/On-Call 33
Article 24 Shift Exchanges 34
Article 25 Training 35
Article 26 Company -Level Staffing 36
Article 27 Management Rights 38
Article 28 Terms of Provisions 39
Article 29 Definitions 40
Article 30 Employee Grievance Procedure 43
Side Letter
50
NCFFA MOU 2005
ARTICLE 1
RECOGNITION/IMPLEMENTATION
Section 1 Recognition
The National City Firefighters' Association is the exclusive representative of probationary and career
employees in the following classes:
-� Firefighter
Fire Engineer
4 Fire Captain
4 Fire Platoon Commander/Battalion Chief (other than those employees already holding
title of Battalion Chief on December 31, 2004)
Deputy Fire Marshal
Effective upon ratification of this Memorandum of Understanding, the name of the Fire Platoon
Commander classification shall change to Battalion Chief. The City shall meet and confer with the
NCFFA beginning in January 2005, regarding job duties and salary for Battalion Chiefs.
Section 2 Implementation
This Memorandum constitutes a mutual recommendation to be jointly submitted to the City Council of
National City. It is agreed that this Memorandum shall not be binding upon the parties either in whole
or in part unless and until:
a) The City Council acts, by majority vote, formally approve and adopt said Memorandum.
b) The City Council acts to appropriate the necessary funds required to implement the
provisions of this Memorandum which require funding.
c) The City Council acts in a timely manner to make the necessary changes in ordinances,
resolutions, rules, policies and procedures to implement and conform to this
Agreement.
-1-
NCFFA MOU 2005
ARTICLE 2
WORK WEEK
The City agrees to cooperate with the Firefighters' Local 2744 to retain the fifty-six (56) hour work
week for Fire Suppression personnel, and the forty (40) hour work week for Staff personnel. The City
agrees to meet and confer with the Firefighter's Local 2744 prior to making adjustments to the
twenty-four (24) hour duty shift.
(A) Fire Suppression - Fifty-six (56) hours shall constitute the normal work week for
personnel assigned to this division. The normal shift length for personnel assigned to
this division shall be twenty-four (24) hours. The normal platoon change shall occur at
0800 (8:00 a.m.).
(B) Forty Hour Assignment - Forty (40) hours shall constitute the normal work week for
personnel temporarily assigned to the prevention or administration divisions. The
normal work day for personnel assigned to this division shall be eight (8) hours, and
begin at 0800 (8:00 a.m.) daily. Such assignment shall not exceed twelve (12)
months, except for those positions designed and filled as permanent 40 hour
assignments or with the consent of the temporarily assigned employee and approval of
the Chief.
(C) 9/80 Assignment - Employees on a forty hour assignment are eligible to participate in
the "Alternative 9/80 Work Schedule," subject to approval of the Fire Chief and in
accordance with the restrictions and/or requirements .for the "Alternative 9/80 Work
Schedule" set forth in the side letter to the Memorandum of Understanding currently in
effect between the City and the National City Municipal Employees' Association.
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NCFFA MOU 2005
ARTICLE 3
UNIFORM ALLOWANCE
Safety equipment prescribed by OSHA or the City, including turnouts, rubber boots, gloves, helmets,
leather boots and pants, will be provided by the City.
In addition, the City will provide $200 annually for each employee covered by this agreement to be
applied toward the purchase and maintenance of the shirt, belt, utility jacket and non -safety trousers
prescribed by department. There will be no requirement to maintain a Class "A" uniform.
All safety equipment prescribed by OSHA and the City provided pursuant to this article will be
considered property of the City and may not be worn by the employee while off -duty, except for travel
to and from work.
In addition to the above, the City shall provide each newly hired employee an additional $200 to assist
them in making an initial purchase of required uniforms.
During 2005, the City will provide each non -probationary employee one "Class A" dress uniform,
consisting of the following:
• Jacket
• One pair of pants
• Shirt
• Shoes
• Tie
• Hat
• Collar device
• Badge holder
• Belt
• Applicable piping
Employees on probation may purchase a "Class A" uniform from the City's supplier. The probationary
employee will be eligible for reimbursement, up to the cost the City paid for "Class A" uniforms, if the
employee completes probation during the term of this MOU. The City has no obligation to purchase or
reimburse employees for "Class A" uniforms beyond the term of this MOU.
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NCFFA MOU 2005
ARTICLE 4
OUT -OF -CLASS PAY
This program will provide compensation at the salary range for the classification to which an Out -of -
Class assignment has been made. Eligibility requirements and pay for an Out -of -Class assignment are
as follows:
1. A Battalion Chief may be assigned to work as Fire Chief or other higher ranking position, and
he/she shall receive a 5% acting pay over current Battalion Chief's base salary for the time of
the assignment.
2. A Fire Captain may be assigned to work as a Battalion Chief and he/she shall receive a 5%
acting pay over current Captain's base salary for the time of the assignment. To be qualified
for the acting position of Battalion Chief, a person must meet the current qualifications for
Battalion Chief.
3. To be qualified for acting position of Captain, a person must be certified by the department to
act in the position of Captain; or, if no certified Captains are available, employee must be on
the current or most recent promotional eligibility list for Captain; or, if no list is available, the
employee must possess the current qualifications for promotion to Captain. Employees shall
receive 5% over their base salary for acting time.
4. To be qualified for the acting position of Engineer, a person must be certified by the
department to act in the position of Engineer; or, if no certified Engineers are available,
employee must be on the current or most recent promotional eligibility list for Engineer; or, if
no list is available, the employee must possess the current qualifications for promotion to
Engineer. Employees shall receive 5% over their base salary for acting time.
5. When the Deputy Fire Marshal is assigned to work as Fire Marshal, he/she shall receive a 5%
acting pay over current Deputy Fire Marshal's base salary for the time of the assignment.
6. These requirements are not intended to limit the Fire Chief from appointing any employee to an
acting capacity or position when circumstances are such that rated or certified personnel are
not readily available after reasonable attempts have been made to use rated or certified
personnel.
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NCFFA MOIL 2005
ARTICLE 5
HOLIDAYS
Section 1
Eligible suppression personnel temporarily assigned to a forty (40) hour workweek shall be entitled to
the following fixed holidays with pay if they occur during such assignment:
1. New Year's Day
2. 2"d Sunday in April
3. Memorial Day
4. Independence Day
5. Labor Day
6. Thanksgiving Day
7. Christmas Day
Personnel permanently assigned to a 40 hour/week shall be entitled to the same fixed holidays with
pay as Fire Management personnel.
1. New Year's Day - January 1"
2. Memorial Day - Last Monday in May
3. Independence Day - July 4th
4. Labor Day - 1" Monday in September
5. Thanksgiving Day - 4th Thursday in November
6. Day After Thanksgiving
7. Christmas Eve Day - December 24th
8. Christmas Day - December 25th
Also each employee permanently assigned to 40 hour/week shall be credited with five (5) floating
holidays at the start of each fiscal year, and pro -rated according to date of hire for new employees.
1. King's Birthday - 3'd Monday in January 4. Columbus Day -2"d Monday in October
2. Lincoln's Birthday - February 12th 5. Veterans' Day - November 11`h
3. Washington's Birthday - 3'd Monday in
February
Section 2 Appointed and Religious Holidays
With Council approval, every day appointed by the President of the United States or by the Governor
of California for a Public fast, thanksgiving or holiday, with the exception of Good Friday, shall be
honored as an additional Holiday. Employees may request time off to attend religious or other religious
activities on Good Friday or on other recognized religious holidays during the year; such time off shall
be charged to the employees' annually accumulated leave or compensating time off. If the employee
has no accumulated annual leave or compensating time off, such time off shall be without pay.
Section 3 Holidays Occurring On Normal Work Day, During Sick Leave Or
Annual Leave Or On A Weekend - 40 Hour/Week Assignment
In the event an employee is required to work on a holiday, which holiday falls on the employee's
regular day off, hourly compensation shall be based on the overtime rate. If a holiday falls on the
employee's regular day off and the employee is not required to work such employee shall be granted
equivalent compensatory time off as approved by the department head.
When an employee is absent on annual leave, sick leave or compensating time off, a holiday
immediately preceding, immediately following or wholly within such leave period shall be recorded as
holiday and not as a day of leave.
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NCFFA MOU 2005
Article 5 - Holidays Page 6
If a holiday falls on Saturday, the preceding Friday will be observed as a holiday. If the holiday falls on
Sunday, the next following Monday will be observed as a holiday.
Section 4 Fire Suppression Holiday Work Schedule
The normal workday on holidays for employees assigned to Suppression (56-hour week) shall consist
of daily morning routine, answering emergency calls and the performance of assigned supervisory
duties. For purposes of this section, the following days shall be modified work days:
1. New Year's Day (January 1st)
2. Memorial Day (4th Monday in May)
3. 2nd Sunday in April
4. Independence Day (July 4th)
5. Labor Day (1st Monday in September)
6. Thanksgiving Day (4th Thursday in November)
7. Christmas Day (December 25th)
8. Sunday after 1300 (Sunday work schedules will be reviewed each January for
possible adjustments after conferring with the FFA)
The Fire Chief shall designate that the holiday work schedule be followed on days appointed by the
President of the United States or by the Governor of California for a public fast, thanksgiving or
holiday and approved by Council.
The provisions of the other sections of this article do not apply to observance of the Fire Suppression
holiday work schedule.
Section 5
In lieu of holiday time off, Battalion Chiefs shall receive 11.1 hours of base salary; Fire Captain, 11.0
hours of base salary; Fire Engineers, 10.9 hours of base salary; and Firefighters, 10.7 of base salary
for each 28 day work period. However, those suppression personnel temporarily assigned to a 40-
hour work schedule shall not work on fixed holidays observed by Fire Management and that time off
will be charged against their vacation accrual.
NCFFA MOU 2005
ARTICLE 6
LEAVE ELIGIBILITY AND PROCEDURE
Section 1 Leave Categories
Eligible employees shall be entitled to holidays and annual vacation, and shall be allowed sick, injury,
emergency and Family Care Leave of absences as provided in this MOU. (See Article 9)
Section 2 Request for Leave
All requests for leaves of absence, whether with or without pay, shall be submitted in writing on
prescribed forms, and, except as provided in the case of Compulsory Leave, Court Leave and Special
Meetings, must meet the approval of the appointing authority.
Section 3 Leave Approval
Except in the case of sick, emergency or military leave, the time during which any leave of absence
shall be taken by an employee shall be designated by the appointing authority, and the request for
such leave, signed by the employee and the appointing authority.
Section 4 Leave Of Absence - Commencement and Termination
Each leave of absence shall be granted for a specific period of time and a specific cause, and if such
cause shall cease to exist prior to the expiration of the period for which the leave is granted, such
leave shall thereafter be invalid.
Section 5 Leave Of Absence - Failure to Report
Leaves of absence shall be indicated on the payroll timesheets submitted to the Director of Finance for
checking and certification. Failure of an employee to report at the expiration of leave shall separate
the employee from City service and shall be considered, in effect a resignation; provided, however, an
appointing authority may cancel such separation if circumstances warrant such cancellation (as
determined by the appointing authority).
Section 6
Leaves of absence must contain a time for termination of the leave and the reason for granting the
leave. A copy of a written order granting a leave of absence must be filed with the appointing
authority and the Personnel Department. No post-dated leave of any kind may be granted to any
employee in the classified service.
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NCFFA MOU 2005
ARTICLE 7
ANNUAL VACATION LEAVE
Section 1
All employees shall be entitled to annual vacation leave with pay.
Section 2 Accrual Rates
(A) All personnel shall be governed by the following vacation accrual rates per pay periods of
service:
Pay Cycles
Fire Suppression Personnel
40 hour Assignment
Permanent
0 - 130 pay cycles
5.54 hours per pay cycle
3.08 hours per pay cycle
131 - 390 pay cycles
7.39 hours per pay cycle
4.62 hours per pay cycle
390+ pay cycles
9.24 hours per pay cycle
6.15 hours per pay cycle
Section 3
Conversion of Vacation Benefits
Fire Suppression employees switching from a 56 hour to a 40 hour work/week shall for purposes of
time sheet reporting, report hours for purposes of pay at the rate of 1 .4 hours for each actual hour on
paid status. Those Fire Suppression Employees who volunteer to remain on a 40-hour assignment for
more than 12 months shall accrue the same vacation as the permanent 40-hour assignment (see
above.)
Example:
Actual hours worked
Conversion Rate
Worked Hours to be reported on timesheet
Actual vacation hours
Conversion rate
Vacation hours to be reported on timesheet
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NCFFA MOU 2005
40.00
1.40
56.00
40.00
1.40
56.00
Article 7 - Annual Vacation Leave Page 9
Section 4 Vacation Usage
Vacation schedules shall be arranged by the department head with particular regard to the needs of
the City, and as far as possible, with the wishes of the employee.
1. Vacation authorized by the department director or designee shall not be deemed payable until
the employee's eligibility is verified by the Finance Department.
2. Each employee is entitled to use a minimum of one (1) year's accrual of vacation during each
fiscal year, providing he/she submits a request for vacation, as provided in City and
departmental procedures. Additional vacation leave which exceeds annual accrual may be
requested providing staffing permits and with approval of the Fire Chief.
3. An eligible employee may take earned vacation in any increment of four (4) hours or more with
the approval of the department head or his/her designee.
Section 5 Maximum Vacation Accumulation
An eligible employee may accumulate vacation to a maximum of 2.5 times annual accrual. Vacation
accrual will discontinue upon reaching the maximum until the employee reduces vacation
accumulation. The maximum allowable accruals are as follows:
360 hours for all 56 hour safety employees with less than five (5) years service.
257 hours for permanent 40 hour safety employees with less than five (5) years service.
480 hours for all 56 hour safety employees with five (5) to fifteen (15) years service.
342 hours for permanent 40 hour safety employees with five (5) to fifteen (15) years service.
600 hours for all 56 hour safety employees with fifteen (15) plus years service.
428 hours for permanent 40 hour safety employees with fifteen (1 5) plus years service.
Section 6 Vacation Selection and Coverage
Vacation selection and coverage shall be as provided in current Departmental Policy, Volume I,
Standard Instruction #36, page 5, effective March 12, 1985. Copy attached. (Reference Article 26,
Section 4) Firefighters shall not be required to supply vacation relief.
NCFFA MOU 2005
Article 7 - Annual Vacation Leave Page 10
Section 7 Terminal Vacation Leave
Upon termination of employment for any cause, an eligible employee shall be entitled to base salary in
lieu for the number of accumulated vacation hours credited to the employee's account under the
provisions of this section. All vacation granted upon completion of an employee's last day of work
shall be a lump sum payment termed "terminal vacation pay" and shall be paid at their annual average
rate of base salary.
Section 8
Upon notice of opportunity from the Fire Chief, requests to sell -back accrued vacation may be
submitted for approval by the Fire Chief.
NCFFA MOU 2005
ARTICLE 8
MILITARY LEAVE
In addition to the leaves of absence provided in this Article, City officers or employees who are also
members of the armed services or militia or organized reserves of this State or National, shall be
entitled to the leaves of absence and the employment rights and privileges provided by the Military and
Veterans' Code of the State of California.
1. The term "military service" as used herein shall signify service on active duty with any
branch of service above mentioned, as well as training or education under the
supervision of the United States preliminary to induction into the military service.
2. The terms "active service" or "active duty" shall include the period during which such
officer or employee while in military service is absent from duty on account of
sickness, wounds, leave or other lawful cause.
3. No employee serving under a permanent appointment in the Classified Service shall be
subjected by any person directly or indirectly by reason of his absence on military leave
to any loss or diminution of vacation, holiday, insurance, pension, retirement or other
privilege or benefit now offered or conferred by law, or be prejudiced by reason of such
leave with reference to promotion, continuance in office or employment, re-
appointment or re-employment.
4. When military leave is granted to an employee in the Classified Service pursuant to this
section, the position held by such employee shall be filled temporarily only during the
employee's absence, except in the event of the employee's death while on leave, and
said employee shall be entitled to be restored to such position, or to a position of like
seniority, status and pay, upon return from such leave, provided the employee is still
mentally and physically qualified to perform the duties of such position, and provided
said employee makes application for re-employment within ninety (90) days after being
relieved from such military service.
5. During absence on military leave, any employee in the Classified Service who has been
employed continuously by the City for a period of not less than one (1) year prior to the
date upon which such absence begins, shall receive his regular salary for a period not
to exceed thirty (30) calendar days in any one fiscal year.
All services of said employee in the recognized military service shall be counted as employment with
the City.
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NCFFA MOU 2005
ARTICLE 9
FAMILY CARE LEAVE
Refer to City-wide Council Policy on Family Leave Policy.
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NCFFA MOO 2005
ARTICLE 10
COURT LEAVE
An employee who is required by subpoena or court order to serve as a juror, or as a witness who is
not a party to a court action, shall be granted leave for such purpose upon presentation or proof of
said employee's required attendance to the appointing authority and the Personnel Director. The
employee shall receive full pay for the time served on court duty during scheduled working hours,
provided the money received as a juror or witness on regular duty days is deposited with the Finance
Department for credit to the proper fund. Employees shall be reimbursed for witness fees for all
incidental expenses incurred, including parking, pursuant to such appearance while on regular duty
days. It is the employee's responsibility to notify the department operations officer no later than the
beginning of the next work shift that he has received a summons for jury duty or subpoena.
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NCFFA MOU 2005
ARTICLE 11
SICK LEAVE WITH PAY
The intent of this Article is to provide a continuity of full salary to those employees who are unable,
because of illness or injury, to perform the duties of their positions or who would expose fellow
workers or the public to contagious disease and are thereby forced to be absent from employment,
and to provide necessary time off from work for unexpected medical and dental care, subject
administrative regulations designed to prevent malingering or abuse of these privileges.
Section 1 Sick Leave Definition
Sick leave is the necessary absence from duty of an employee because of:
1. Illness, injury or exposure to a contagious disease suffered by an employee.
2. The serious disability of the employee while on a scheduled vacation.
3. The absence of an employee for authorized medical or dental care.
4. The care of a family member meeting the requirements of Federal Family Medical Leave
Act or California Family Rights Act
Section 2 Sick Leave Earning and Accumulation
1. 56-hour Fire Suppression personnel of the Fire Department shall earn 5.54 hours of sick
leave for each full pay cycle of employment. Permanent 40-hour employees shall earn
3.69 pay cycle.
2. Accumulated Sick Leave: Each permanent or probationary 56-hour employee covered
by this Memorandum shall, on July 30, 1980, be eligible to accumulate sick leave up to
a maximum of 720 hours, (herein called "accumulative sick leave"). Sick leave accrual
will be credited on the last day of each pay period up to the 720-hour maximum
limitation. Permanent 40-hour employees may accumulate up to 514 hours.
3. Frozen Sick Leave Balance: Employees hired on or before June 30, 1980 and who
have an existing sick leave balance on June 30, 1980 in excess of 720 hours, will be
"frozen" at their June, 1980 sick leave balance levels on July 1, 1980. (Herein called
"frozen sick leave balance"). Said frozen sick leave balance will be maintained as a
separate account.
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NCFFA MOU 2005
Page 15
Article 11 - Sick Leave With Pay
Example: Employee has 1020 hours of sick leave accrual on June 30, 1980. On
July 1, 1980 it is distributed as follows:
Accumulated Sick Leave
Frozen Sick Leave Balance
Credit 720 hours
(Maximum Accumulation)
300 hours
4. Upon reaching the maximum accumulated sick leave (720 hours), accrual will
discontinue and will resume only after the employee's balance falls below 720 hours.
Accrual will resume on the last day of the pay period in which the employee's balance
falls below the 720-hour level. Said accrual will occur at the established rate as
defined in paragraph (1) above.
Section 3 Sick Leave Usage
(1) Employees must first utilize the regular sick leave balance prior to utilizing frozen sick
leave accumulation.
(2) Employees using sick leave pursuant to this Article for non -work related illness or injury
which has a sixty (60) consecutive day duration shall, upon the sixty first (61st)
consecutive, day of illness, utilize provisions of Article 20 herein, Long Term Disability
Insurance.
Section 4 Limitation on Time Chargeable to Sick Leave
(1) No person shall be entitled to sick leave with pay while absent from duty on account of
any of the following causes:
(a) Disability arising from any sickness or injury purposely self-inflicted or caused by
any willful misconduct.
(b) Sickness or disability sustained while on leave of absence other than his/her
regular vacation.
(c) No paid sick leave shall be granted in excess of the employee's sick leave credit.
(d) An employee may be granted sick leave with pay only for injury, illness or
exposure to contagious disease which incapacitates the employee for work.
NCFFA MOU 2005
Article 11 - Sick Leave With Pay Page 16
(2) Absence that is chargeable to sick leave in accordance with this shall be charged in an
amount not smaller than one (1) hour for the first hour of absence; thereafter, in
increments of not less than fifteen (15) minutes.
Section 5 Sick Leave Compensation
(1) In order to receive compensation while on sick leave, the employee shall notify:
(a) The immediate supervisors; or
(b) The department head; or
(c) In the event of the unavailability of either, the senior representative available.
(2) Notification shall be made prior to or not later than the beginning of the work day/shift
in the employee's respective department.
(3) The department head may waive the above requirements if, in his opinion, an
emergency or other exceptional circumstances so warrants.
Computation of sick leave shall not include regular days off or holidays, provided these
are not in conflict with the established schedule within each department.
Section 6 Physician's Statement Required
(1) When absence is for more than three (3) consecutive working days, the department head may
require the employee to furnish a certificate or statement from a regular licensed and practicing
physician, at the employee's own expense, whose license will be honored by the County
Health Officer, indicating the nature and duration of the employee's incapacity, or other
adequate evidence if the employee was not examined by a physician. The appointing authority
may require evidence of incapacity in cases of short periods of absence.
(2) The department head is responsible for sick leave during the first three days before the filing of
a physician's certificate is required. This responsibility may be implemented by a visitation or
any other reasonable method deemed necessary by the department head. Sick leave with pay
shall be authorized by the department head subject to verification of the employee's eligibility
by the Personnel Director.
NCFFA MOU 2005
Article 11 - Sick Leave With Pay Page 17
(3) When absence is for more than five (5) working days in a two (2) week period or there is in
the judgment of the department head a questionable usage of sick leave over a number of pay
periods, the department head may require the employee to submit to an examination at City
expense by a physician designated or approved by the City Manager. The department head
shall be entitled to a written report from the examining physician indicating the specific nature
and duration of the employee's illness or incapacity.
Section 7 Separation from City Service
All eligibility from sick leave with pay shall be canceled upon separation of the employee from City
service, provided that if such separation is by lay-off, his accumulated eligibility may be restored to
him in whole or in part by the Civil Service Commission upon re-employment.
Section 8 Illness During Vacation
An employee who becomes incapacitated due to illness or injury while on paid vacation may substitute
sick leave credits for vacation provided the employee's request for sick leave substitution is
accompanied by a doctor's statement.
Section 9 Holidays During Sick Leave
For 40-hour permanently and temporarily assigned employees, paid fixed holidays immediately
preceding, immediately following or wholly within the period for which sick leave is granted shall not
be regarded as part of such period of sick leave.
Section 10 Sick Leave Payment Upon Retirement
An employee hired on or before June 30, 1980, shall upon formal retirement from the City under the
Public Employees' Retirement System, be paid at their annual base salary for each hour of unused sick
leave or fraction thereof which has accrued to his credit up to and including his last day of work but
not to exceed 360 hours. An employee hired on or after July 1, 1980, shall not be eligible for sick
leave payment upon retirement.
NCFFA MOU 2005
Article 11 - Sick Leave With Pay Page 18
For employees hired on or before June 30, 1980, sick leave payoff upon retirement shall be computed
as follows:
1. Frozen sick leave balance upon date of retirement, and
2. Accumulative sick leave balances upon retirement.
Equals Sick leave payoff, however, in no event shall the payoff exceed 360
hours.
Section 11 Sick Leave Reporting for Payroll Purposes
Reports of absences of employees must be made to the City Manager at the same time the
department head files his payroll report. The department head who fails to report the absence of an
employee from duty and thus enables the employee to receive pay in excess of the amount to which
he is legally entitled shall be held liable for the amount illegally paid.
Section 12 Evidence of Cause of Absence
In all cases of absence because of sickness or injury of the employee or illness or death in the
employee's family, the employee may be required to furnish to the appointing authority satisfactory
evidence substantiating the facts justifying such leave. Failure to furnish such evidence upon request
shall be sufficient reason for denying the leave of absence with pay.
Section 13 Sick Leave Incentive Pay
(a) 56 Hour Work Week
Sworn members of the Fire Department working on a twenty-four (24) hour shift basis using
forty-eight (48) hours of sick leave or less may convert fifty (50%) percent of their remaining
yearly sick leave at annual base salary. Remaining yearly sick leave not converted to pay shall
be carried over and accumulated for use when needed.
Pay shall be computed based on the following schedule and all computations shall be rounded
to the nearest whole hour:
Remaining Annual Sick Leave Accrual
at End of Fiscal Year
Hours that may be converted at
annual base salary
56 HOUR WORK WEEK
56 HOUR WORK WEEK
144 Hours
72 Hours
132 Hours
66 Hours
120 Hours
60 Hours
108 Hours
54 Hours
96 Hours
48 Hours
Less than 96 Hours
No Payoff
NCFFA MOU 2005
Article 11 - Sick Leave With Pay
Page 19
(b) 40 Hour Work Week
Sworn members of the Fire Department working other than a twenty-four (24) hour shift
schedule earn sick leave at the rate of 3.69 hours per full pay period of service. Persons in
this work assignment, using thirty-two (32) hours or less, during the fiscal year, may convert
fifty (50%) percent their remaining yearly sick leave at annual base salary. Remaining yearly
sick leave not converted to pay shall be carried over and accumulated for use when needed.
Pay shall be computed based on the following schedule, and all computations shall be rounded
to the nearest whole hour:
Remaining Annual Sick Leave Accrual
at End of Fiscal Year
Hours that may be converted
at annual base salary
40 HOUR WORK WEEK
40 HOUR WORK WEEK
96 Hours
48 Hours
88 Hours
44 Hours
80 Hours
40 Hours
72 Hours
36 Hours
64 Hours
32 Hours
Less than 64 Hours
No Payoff
(c) Except as provided in (d) below, sick leave hours converted shall be subtracted from the
employee's accumulative sick leave balance. The remaining sick leave hours shall be carried
over accumulated per Section 2 (3) herein.
(d) An employee who has the maximum accumulation of sick leave at the beginning of the
previous fiscal year (July 15t) and who used no sick leave during the year, shall not have the
amount of sick leave for which compensation is received under the sick leave incentive
program deducted from the employee's accumulative yearly sick leave balance and shall remain
at the maximum accumulation.
(e) The City will attempt to make payment on the pay day following the end of the 3`d pay cycle,
but no later than the pay day following the end of the 4th cycle of each fiscal year. Pay will be
computed based on the employee's salary step on June 30 of the preceding fiscal year.
(f) Payment will be made to an employee hired during the fiscal year on a prorated basis provided
he is on the payroll June 30. Permanent employees who terminate or retire during the fiscal
year will be compensated on a prorated basis subject to their formal separation or retirement
date.
NCFFA MOU 2005
ARTICLE 12
COMPENSATION PLAN
Section 1 Salary Advancement
The Compensation Plan of the City of National City has the following Characteristics:
(1) The salary range for Firefighter consists of seven (7) steps, "A" through "G"; the
ranges for other classifications consist of five (5) steps each ("A" through "E").
(2) The increase from one step to the next step on each range is as indicated in the Salary
Schedule.
Salary advancement for each employee shall not be automatic, but shall depend upon the increased
value of an employee to the City, as reflected by the recommendations of the employee's supervisor
and department head, and all other pertinent evidence. The success of the Compensation Plan
depends upon incentives which will encourage employees to put forth increasing efforts as they
advance through the salary steps of the salary range.
Section 2 Salary Steps
The steps of the range shall be interpreted and applied as follows: the second, third, fourth , fifth,
sixth and seventh salary steps are merit and seniority adjustments to encourage an employee to
continue to improve his work:
(A) The first base salary step (as shown in the schedule for base salary) is the minimum
rate and will normally be the hiring rate. Appointment may be made to other than the
normal entering salary step upon the recommendation of the department head and
upon the approval of the City Manager, when it is decided that such action is in the
best interests of the City.
(B) The second salary step: When 13 full pay cycles are completed after hire into a
permanent position, the employee is eligible for consideration for this salary
advancement. This salary advancement shall be made only after a satisfactory
performance evaluation and the Fire Chief recommends the advancement subject to
approval by the City Manager.
(C) The third salary step — When 13 full pay cycles are completed at the 2id step in a
permanent position, the employee is eligible for consideration for this salary
advancement. This salary advancement shall be made only after a satisfactory
performance evaluation and the Fire Chief recommends the advancement subject to
approval by the City Manager.
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NCFFA MOU 2005
Article 12 - Compensation Plan Page 21
(D) The fourth salary step - When 13 full pay cycles are completed at the 3`d step in a
permanent position, the employee is eligible for consideration for this salary
advancement. This salary advancement shall be made only after a satisfactory
performance evaluation and the Fire Chief recommends the advancement subject to
approval by the City Manager.
(E) The fifth salary step - Twenty-six (26) full pay cycles of satisfactory service at the
fourth step normally shall make an employee eligible for consideration of this
advancement. This salary advancement shall be made only after satisfactory
performance evaluation and if recommended by the department head subject to
approval by the City Manager.
(F) The sixth salary step - Twenty-six (26) full pay cycles of satisfactory service at the
fifth step normally shall make an employee eligible for consideration of this
advancement. This salary advancement shall be made only after satisfactory
performance evaluation and if recommended by the department head subject to
approval by the City Manager.
(G) The seventh salary step - Twenty-six (26) full pay cycles of satisfactory service at the
sixth step normally shall make an employee eligible for consideration of this
advancement. This salary advancement shall be made only after satisfactory
performance evaluation and if recommended by the department head subject to
approval by the City Manager.
All rates shown, and conditions set forth herein, are in full payment for service rendered and are
intended to cover full payment for the number of hours now regularly worked in each class. Each
promotion shall carry with it a salary increase and the procedure covering the normal minimum hiring
rate shall not necessarily apply.
The provisions of this Article are based upon the schedules adopted by the City Council.
NCFFA MOU 2005
ARTICLE 13
"Y" RATE
Step "Y" of the salary range for any class is hereby defined as any rate of pay in excess of Step "E" of
the range for the class. An employee shall be paid at Step "Y" solely under one of the following two
(2) conditions:
(a) Upon the reduction of the maximum salary rate for a class, an employee having other
than provisional status who immediately prior to such time was paid at a higher rate for
such class than the new maximum rate shall, in the absence of any contrary orders by
the City Council for economy reasons, continue to be paid at the former rate.
(b) Any employee who is reclassified from a class in which said employee has acquired
permanent status to a class with a lower maximum rate of pay may, at the discretion
of the City Manager, continue to receive the same rate of pay or may have said salary
reduced.
In the event of an increase in the salary rate applicable to a class, regardless of the method by which
such increase is accomplished, any employee who immediately prior thereto has been paid at Step "Y'
shall receive no increase unless the increased salary for employees at Step "E" for the class exceeds
the salary already being paid to said employee in which case the employee shall be paid at Step "E".
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NCFFA MOU 2005
ARTICLE 14
FORTY -HOUR ASSIGNMENT PAY
Those employees classified as:
1. Firefighter; or
2. Fire Engineer; or
3. Fire Captain; or
4. Battalion Chief
and temporarily assigned to a forty (40) hour assignment, shall receive a six (6) percent pay differential
for the duration of said assignment.
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NCFFA MOU 2005
ARTICLE 15
REVISION OF THE COMPENSATION PLAN
In the absence of any contrary orders by the City Council for reasons of economy, the following
method shall be observed in determining the step at which each employee shall be paid beginning the
effective date of a change of the maximum salary for said employees' class or position:
(a) If the maximum salary is raised, the step at which the employee will be paid shall not
be affected thereby.
(b) If the maximum salary is lowered, the employee should be paid at the rate in the new
range which is the same as the rate to which he was paid in the former range. If the
maximum rate of the new range is lower than the employee's salary in the former
range the employee may, pursuant to Article 14, be paid at the "Y' rate.
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NCFFA MOU 2005
ARTICLE 16
OVERTIME
(1) The smallest unit of time credited as overtime shall be one quarter hour.
(2) Overtime worked that is less than one quarter hour shall be rounded -off to the nearest
quarter hour each pay period.
(3) The City of National City has elected a 28-day work period for fire suppression
employees under the 7K exemption contained in the Fair Labor Standards Act to
coincide with the City's regular pay periods. Overtime pay shall be calculated pursuant
to the provisions of the Department of Labor, Wages and Hour Division Administrative
Letter ruling dated November 19, 1986 which is contained in Appendix Ill,
Administrative rulings Pages 129 through 131 of the Fair Labor Standards Handbook
published by Thompson Publishing Group.
(4) Employees may be credited with compensating time for overtime worked, upon prior
request of the employee and approval of the Fire Chief, up to a maximum of 480
hours.
(5) An employee may use compensating time in advance of accruing it with the Fire
Chief's approval, providing that any negative balance is owed to the City at separation
or retirement.
(6) The City may not force use of compensatory time off or vacation in order to avoid
overtime payment.
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NCFFA MOU 2005
ARTICLE 17
LONGEVITY PAY
In addition to other compensation paid for the services of employees, longevity pay for continuous and
uninterrupted service shall be continued at the same level for those employees receiving longevity pay
as of it on June 30, 1984. No employees not receiving longevity pay as of that date will be eligible to
receive it in the future; no employee currently receiving it, will be eligible for increase in longevity pay.
Current levels of longevity pay are:
(a) After five (5) years of continuous and uninterrupted service the sum of $10.00 per
month;
(b) After ten (10) years of continuous and uninterrupted service the sum of $15.00 per
month;
(c) After fifteen (15) years of continuous and uninterrupted service the sum of $20.00 per
month;
(d) After twenty (20) years of continuous and uninterrupted service the sum of $25.00 per
month;
(e) After twenty-five (25) years of continuous and uninterrupted service the sum of
$30.00 per month, which shall be the maximum payable.
Vacations, sick leave, military leave and absence authorized by the Fire Chief of National City shall not
be considered as interruption of service.
In the event an officer or employee ceases to be employed by National City for a reason other than
military service or lay-off, all rights to longevity pay shall be forfeited and expire, and if said officer or
employee is subsequently re-employed by the City, said employee or officer shall not be entitled to any
longevity pay by reason of any prior employment.
NCFFA MOU 2005
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ARTICLE 18
EMPLOYEE AND DEPENDENT HEALTH
AND DENTAL INSURANCE
Section 1
As a benefit to full-time employees covered by this Memorandum of Understanding, the City will
provide a group health insurance and a group dental insurance program. The benefits and limitations
of the programs are to be designed cooperatively by the Employees' Association, the Insurance
Carriers and the City. The Association and City agree to select and implement health insurance
programs which meet the requirements of the Health Maintenance Act of 1973.
In the event the cost of insurances selected by the employee exceeds the contribution by the City, the
employee must pay the excess amount.
Section 2 Cash -in -Lieu
An employee must select coverage for health and dental insurance to be eligible for cash -in -lieu. If
coverage selected costs less than the contribution by the City, the difference shall be paid to the
employee in the form of money to a maximum of $100/month.
Section 3 Medical & Dental Benefits
Effective February 1, 2002, the City shall contribute the following amounts for health and dental
benefits:
Employee Only
Employee & one dependent
Employee + 2 or more dependents
$305.30
80% of Kaiser Health Plan & PMI Dental Plan Premium
80% of Kaiser Health Plan & PMI Dental Plan Premium
The contribution of $305.30 for employee only shall remain at $305.30/mo. until the premiums for
Kaiser and PMI exceed that amount, after that the benefit shall be 100% of those premiums.
Section 4 Retiree Health Benefit
Employees covered by this MOU, who retire from the City of National City after July 1, 2002, and
who have at least 20 full years of service with National City Fire Department shall receive $5/month
for each year of service with National City Fire Department as the City's contribution towards their
medical insurance premium. This contribution shall continue until reaching age 65 or the retiree
obtaining primary health coverage not sponsored by the City of National City. Terminal vacation pay
and/or sick leave payment upon retirement or PERS adding unused sick leave accruals toward
retirement credit shall not be included in the calculation of 20 full years of service. If the City
increases this benefit for the Police Officers' Association, that increase shall also apply to the
Firefighters' Association, but not to former members of the FFA already retired at the time the increase
is made, unless the increase for the POA applies to its former members already retired at the time the
increase is implemented.
Retirees eligible for this benefit are responsible for paying the Health Insurance Premium and the City
will forward this benefit amount on a monthly basis directly to the Retiree. This benefit will be
canceled upon non-payment of premium or otherwise becoming ineligible. The Retiree is also
responsible for notification to the City of address change and health coverage from another source.
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NCFFA MOU 2005
ARTICLE 19
EMPLOYEE LIFE INSURANCE
As a benefit to full-time employees covered by this Memorandum of Understanding, the City will
provide a group life insurance program. The benefits and limitations of the Life Insurance Program are
to be designed cooperatively by the Employees' Association, Insurance Carrier and the City. The City
will provide $15,000 Life Insurance with Accidental Death and Dismemberment as a City paid benefit.
In the event the cost of providing Employee Life Insurance exceeds the established City contribution,
employee must pay the excess amount.
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NCFFA MOU 2005
ARTICLE 20
LONG TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE PROGRAM
It is the intent of this article to provide an income protection plan to firefighter employee's who are
unable to work because of non -work related injury, illness or disability.
(A) The Firefighters' Association, at their option, may change insurance carriers and/or plan
benefits for their group Long Term Disability (LTD) Program no more than once in any twelve
(12) month period upon proper notice to the City's Labor Relations Representative.
(B) The City shall pay $33.90 per month to each represented firefighter employee in the form of a
taxable pay type and shall deduct the monthly premium and pay the insurance carrier directly.
Any excess of City contribution over the premium cost shall be available to the employee as
cash -in -lieu.
(C) The City shall continue to make health, dental and life insurance contributions to represented
employee's in accordance with Article 18 and 19 of this MOU for the duration of the disability
or twelve (12) consecutive months whichever is less, unless this benefit is extended by the
Fire Chief and the City Manager.
(D) The disabled employee shall use accumulated sick leave during the waiting period for the
benefit to be effective and thereafter on leave without pay status. The City shall be notified as
to the effective date of benefit by the responsible party.
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NCFFA MOU 2005
ARTICLE 21
PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM
Section 1
Consistent with the Government Code of the State of California, employees are local safety members
of the Public Employees' Retirement System and are entitled to optional benefits as indicated in the
December 12, 1989, amendment to contract between the Board of administration of PERS and the
City Council.
Section 2
The City's contribution for the employee's share of the cost of the Public Employees' Retirement
System shall continue to be nine (9) percent, and the City will report the Employee Paid Member
Contribution of 9% of employee's share as gross pay for purposes of highest single year retirement
benefit effective at the start of Fiscal Year 2002-03.
Section 3
The City's P.E.R.S. contract includes the "Highest Single Year" option at the City's expense.
Section 4
The City provides a 3% at 50 PERS Retirement Benefit for represented employees.
Section 5
After ratification of this Agreement by the City Council, the City will request an actuarial study from
CALPERS on the cost of implementing the Level IV Survivors Benefit. When received, the City and
FFA will re -open negotiations on this issue only and will implement that benefit if the cost is not
significant.
NCFFA MOU 2005
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ARTICLE 22
SALARIES
Philosophy
Salaries
The City of National City strives whenever fiscally prudent, to provide fire
suppression personnel with total compensation comparable to the average of San
Diego County cities. The City and NC FFA will mutually agree upon the
compensation study.
Employee salaries shall remain as set forth in the existing salary schedule. In lieu
of a salary increase, all employees with at least one year of service with the Fire
Department at the time this Memorandum of Understanding is ratified shall receive
a one-time retention incentive of $2,100.00. The one-time retention incentive
shall be payable within three pay periods of December 31, 2004. Employees with
less than one year of service with the Fire Department at the time this
Memorandum of Understanding is ratified, shall receive their $2,100.00 retention
incentive in the pay period after reaching their one-year anniversary during the
term of this Memorandum of Understanding. The City shall have no obligation to
pay a retention incentive to any employee who does not reach his/her one year
anniversary with the Fire Department during 2005.
• The employee may choose to contribute part or all of the retention
incentive into their 457 deferred compensation plan account.
• The retention incentive shall not be reported as compensation to PERS.
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NCFFA MOU 2005
Article 22 Salaries
Page 32
Special Those represented employees who can demonstrate competency in the Spanish
Incentive or Tagalog languages as verified by the Personnel Department shall receive an
Pay additional 2% incentive pay to the hourly base salaries.
Those represented employees who can show actual residency within the City
limits of National City shall receive an additional 2% incentive pay to their hourly
base salaries for as long as they remain residents of National City.
NCFFA MOU 2005
ARTICLE 23
CALL BACK AND STANDBY/ON-CALL
1. All employees covered by the terms of the Agreement who are called back to work from off -
duty and arrive at station for duty shall be paid for not less than two (2) hours at one and one-
half (1-1/2) times the base salary rate. Immediate call back will receive one (1) additional hour
of travel time.
2. Off -duty personnel may be required by the Fire Chief to remain on standby/on-call status and
shall receive one-half (.5) hour of base salary for each four (4) hours of required standby time.
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NCFFA MOU 2005
ARTICLE 24
SHIFT EXCHANGES
The City agrees that employees shall have the right to exchange, subject to prior approval of the Chief
or his authorized designee, duty shifts when the changes do not interfere with the operation of the Fire
Department. The Association agrees that shift exchanges shall in no way become subject to overtime
pay.
(1) The Chief's authorized designee may be one shift Captain from the requesting
individual and one shift Captain from the receiving man involved in the shift exchange.
The Chief may change his designee at any time.
(2) Shift exchanges may be for a minimum of one (1) hour to a maximum of twenty-four
(24) hours for any one request.
(3) Personnel may work more than twenty-four (24) hours straight and not more than
forty-eight (48) hours at one request, except by approval of the Chief.
(4) Working in excess of twenty-four (24) hours will not be cause for denial.
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NCFFA MOU 2005
ARTICLE 25
TRAINING
Section 1 Training
EMT Training - The City will determine if EMTFS certification is required for all classifications covered
by this agreement. If the EMTFS requirement is maintained all training and re -certification will be
provided on City time (during regularly scheduled work hours).
In the event that EMTFS is not required by the City, any requirement to obtain or maintain EMTFS
certification described in. the class specifications for Firefighter, Fire Engineer and Fire Captain will be
deleted.
Fire Investigation Training - up to $500 annually will be provided to employees assigned to Fire
Investigation for specialized training in fire investigation which is considered necessary by the Fire
Marshal and approved by the Fire Chief.
Section 2
The Educational Expenses Reimbursement Plan is available to employees who wish to improve their
work performance through furthering their education. The plan provides reimbursement for up to
twelve (12) units per fiscal year and is open to all employees who meet the following criteria:
A. Successful completion of probation.
B. A proposed course of instruction related to the employee's employment with the City. The
City Manager or his designee has the final authority on determining whether a course is job
related. Request must be submitted in writing on appropriate department form according to
established procedures.
C. The reimbursement may be used to cover the costs of tuition, registration and books at a local
community college.
D. The course must be passed with a grade of "C" or better. If taken on pass/fail basis, employee
must pass course(s) taken.
E. The employee must show written documentation of the expenditures being claimed for
reimbursement.
Reimbursement under this Plan will be made upon completion of the coursework as per part 2, above.
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NCFFA MOU 2005
ARTICLE 26
COMPANY -LEVEL STAFFING
Section 1
Each of the two (2) engine companies shall be staffed with a minimum of three (3) Personnel in the
following manner: one (1) rated Fire Captain, one (1) rated Fire Engineer and one (1) rated Firefighter.
Engine companies shall be staffed to perform engine company operations. Temporarily staffing engine
companies at higher levels is addressed in Section 8.
Section 2
Each Truck Company shall be staffed with a minimum of four (4) Personnel in the following manner:
one (1) rated Fire Captain, one (1) rated Fire Engineer and two (2) rated Firefighters, except as
provided in Section 3 below. The Truck Company shall be staffed to perform truck company
operations.
Section 3
The City shall be obligated to staff each company with rated personnel at all times. Circumstances in
which non -rated personnel are used shall be governed by Article 4, Out -of -Class Pay. Inability to
provide rated personnel may be permitted in circumstances out of the Department's control, such as
sick leave, special leave, off the job -incurred injury, or illness, on the job -incurred injury or illness or
natural disasters.
Section 4
In the event a Battalion Chief is on vacation, an attempt must be made to fill the vacancy with a rated
Battalion Chief. In the event a Captain is on vacation, an attempt must be made to fill the vacancy
with a rated Captain. In the event an Engineer is on vacation, an attempt must be made to fill the
vacancy with a rated Engineer.
Section 5
Personnel may work more than twenty-four (24) consecutive hours, but not more than forty-eight (48)
consecutive hours except by the approval of the Chief.
Section 6
Minimum daily staffing shall not be less than 11 personnel comprised of two (2) engine companies,
one (1) truck company and one (1) Battalion Chief. Temporarily increasing minimum daily staffing is
addressed in Section 8.
Section 7
The City will not make assignments under Civil Service Rule 407.5 to fill a vacant position until an employee
has been absent for 30 consecutive calendar days. However, if within the first 30 calendar days that the
employee is absent, the employee provides medical evidence to the City that his/her absence will exceed 30
consecutive calendar days, the City may make an assignment under Civil Service Rule 407.5 prior to the
employee being absent 30 consecutive calendar days.
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NCFFA MOU 2005
ARTICLE 26
COMPANY -LEVEL STAFFING
Section 8
The City is committed to enhancing service levels and evaluating the impact of constant manning for the
betterment of its residents and the NCFFA who serve them. To accomplish this, the City agrees to
implement a pilot program increasing required fire suppression employees per shift from 11 to 12 starting July
1, 2005. The pilot program shall end on December 31, 2005 or once the cost of complying with the pilot
program reaches $30,000, whichever occurs sooner. The City will share the results of the pilot study with
NCFFA when completed. The City and the NCFFA agree to meet and confer during the negotiations to reach
a successor to the 2005 Memorandum of Understanding over the issues of whether constant manning will be
required in 2006 and/or beyond, and if so, the details of such a program.
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NCFFA MOU 2005
ARTICLE 27
MANAGEMENT RIGHTS
Except --and only to the extent --that specific provisions of this Agreement expressly provide otherwise,
it is hereby mutually agreed that the City has and will continue to retain, regardless of the frequency
of exercise, rights to operate and manage its affairs in each and every respect. The rights reserved to
the sole discretion of the City shall include, but not be limited to the right:
to determine the mission of its constituent departments, commissions, boards; set
standards of service; determine the procedures and standards of selection for
employment and promotions; direct its employees; establish and enforce dress
standards; determine the methods and means to relieve its employees from duty
because of lack of work or other legitimate reasons; maintain the efficiency of
governmental operations; determine the methods, means and personnel by which
government operations are to be conducted; determine the content and intent of job
classifications; determine methods of financing; determine style and/or types of City -
issued wearing apparel, equipment or technology to be used; determine and/or change
the facilities, methods technology, means, organizational structure and size and
composition of the work force and allocate and assign work by which the City
operations are to be conducted; determine and change the number of locations,
relocations and types of operations, processes and materials to be used in carrying out
all City functions including the right to contract for or subcontract any work or
operations of the City; to assign work to and schedule employees in accordance with
requirements as determined by the City and to establish and change work schedules and
assignments upon reasonable notice; establish and modify productivity and performance
programs and standards; suspend, demote, reprimand, withhold salary increases and
benefits, or otherwise discipline employees for legal cause; establish reasonable
employee performance standards including, but not limited to, quality, and quantity;
standards; and to require compliance therewith; take all necessary actions to carry out
its mission in emergencies; and exercise control and discretion over its organization and
the technology of performing its work.
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NCFFA MOU 2005
ARTICLE 28
TERMS OF PROVISIONS
The provisions of this Memorandum of Understanding shall be effective and binding subject to
approval of the National City Firefighters' Association and the City Council from the adoption of this
document by the City Council through December 31, 2005.
This MOU is subject to all future and current applicable Federal of State and Local laws and
regulations.
If any part or provision of this MOU is in conflict with such applicable provisions of Federal or State
laws or regulations, or is otherwise held to be invalid or unenforceable by any tribunal of competent
jurisdiction, such part or provision shall be suspended and superseded by such applicable law or
regulations, and the remainder of the MOU shall not be affected. The Association will be duly notified
of any such judicial or legislative action invalidating any section of this Agreement, and the Employees'
Association and/or the City shall have right to meet and confer within thirty (30) days concerning said
section. This MOU shall supersede all past agreements and City or department rules and ordinances
which are in conflict with or are addressed by this MOU.
In addition, the City and the Association may mutually agree in writing to meet and confer on any
subject within the scope of representation.
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NCFFA MOU 2005
ARTICLE 29
DEFINITIONS
BASE SALARY — Shall mean, for 56-hour personnel, the hourly rate derived by dividing the annual
salary as developed by the Finance Department on their published salary schedule by the average
number of scheduled work hours (2912) hours. For 40-hour personnel, the hourly salary derived by
dividing the annual salary by 2080 hours. The annual salary does not include overtime, special or
incentive pays or cash -outs.
COMPENSATION PLAN - Shall mean the official schedule of pay approved by the City Council
assigning one or more rates of pay to each class title.
COMPENSATORY LEAVE - Shall mean time off from work in lieu of monetary payment for
overtime worked.
CONTINUOUS SERVICE - Shall mean employment in the City service uninterrupted by separation,
and applies to the time a person has been employed on a permanent basis, or to the continuation of
employment from temporary to a permanent appointment, without any break in service.
DEMOTION - Shall mean the appointment of an employee holding a position in one class to a position
in another class having a lower maximum salary rate, or to a lower step within the same.
DEPARTMENT - Shall mean an administrative branch including a group of employees under the
immediate charge of a chief executive officer of a department of the City government, which latter
officer shall be known as the department head.
EMPLOYEE - Shall mean a person who is legally an incumbent of a position in the Classified Service
or who is an authorized leave of absence from such a position with the right to return to his position.
Employee shall include OFFICER.
IMMEDIATE FAMILY - Except as provided in Article 12, Section 2, immediate family shall include
the husband, wife, mother and father of both husband and wife, son, daughter, brother and sister of
the employee, or any relative by blood or marriage residing in the same household.
INTERIM APPOINTMENT - Shall mean a short-term appointment made from an eligible list.
LAY-OFF - Shall mean the involuntary, non -disciplinary separation of an employee from a position
resulting from lack of work, lack of funds or abolishment of a position.
LEAVE - Shall mean an approved type of absence from work as provided for by these rules.
NORMAL WORK DAY - Shall mean operations personnel are not expected to work on projects of a
non -emergency nature after 1700 hours. If an individual elects to work on a project or other
administrative assignment after 1700 hours he shall do so of his own free choosing. No coercion,
harassment or persuasion shall be placed on any individual either by the fire department administration
or by the labor body.
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NCFFA MOU 2005
Article 29 - Definitions Page 41
PAY CYCLE - Two week period for pay purposes.
PAY DAY - Day on which pay is given for previous pay cycle.
PAY PERIOD - 28 day period for purposes of overtime.
PERMANENT EMPLOYEE - Shall mean an employee who has been appointed to a permanent
position. A permanent employee may be serving a probationary period.
PERMANENT POSITION - Shall mean a specific office or classification, whether occupied or
vacant, carrying responsibilities and calling for the performance of certain duties by one individual.
This position shall be included in the Classified Service and may be either on a part-time or full-time
basis.
PERMANENT STATUS - Shall mean the satisfactory completion of one (1) year of probationary
service and continuing permanent appointment.
DIRECTOR OF PERSONNEL - Shall mean the City Manager or the person appointed by the City
Manager to act as Secretary to the Civil Commission, to administer the activities of the Personnel
Department and to exercise general supervision over the employment policy of the City subject to the
direction of the Commission.
POSITION - Shall mean any specific officer or classification whether occupied or vacant, carrying
certain responsibilities and calling for the performance of certain duties by one individual, either on a
part-time or full-time basis.
PROBATIONARY PERIOD - Shall mean the working test period during which an employee is
required to demonstrate his fitness by the actual performance of the duties and responsibilities of his
position and during which time he may be terminated without right of appeal to the Civil Service
Commission.
PROBATIONARY STATUS - Shall mean service in a permanent position prior to completion of the
prescribed period of probationary service.
PROBATIONER - Shall be an employee in the Classified Service who is serving a probationary
period.
PROVISIONAL APPOINTMENT - Shall mean the temporary appointment of a person who
possesses the minimum qualifications established for a particular class and who has been appointed to
a position in the class in the absence of available eligibles; any non -permanent appointment, other than
seasonal, part-time or emergency appointment, which is not made from a re-employment list or an
eligible list.
RATE - Rate shall mean the same as Rank. Rate and Rank are interchangeable terms for purposes of this
MOU. Rate or Rank means to be employed in a position, on a permanent or probationary basis and includes
employees working in a position pursuant to an assignment under Civil Service Rule 407.5.
RATED PERSONNEL - Shall mean permanent employees and probationary employees in a position as
well as employees working in a position pursuant to an assignment under Civil Service Rule 407.5.
SALARY RANGE - Shall mean one or more, but commonly five (5) specific pay rates having a
percentage relationship to one another, assigned to a class of positions as the compensation for the
class.
NCFFA MOU 2005
Article 29 - Definitions
Page. 42
SALARY RATE - Shall mean a specific dollar amount, expressed as either an annual rate, a monthly
rate, a semi-monthly rate, a bi-weekly rate or an hourly rate, as shown in the compensation plan of the
City.
SALARY STEP - Shall mean the location of a rate within a salary range, as identified by a letter of
the alphabet.
TEMPORARY ASSIGNMENT — Assignment of personnel to a 40-hour work week in a position that
is not designated as a permanent 40-hour assignment.
TEMPORARY EMPLOYEE - Shall mean an employee appointed to a position of a non -permanent
nature on provisional basis.
WORK DAY - Shall mean an eight (8) hour period as a normal work period.
WORK SHIFT - Shall mean twenty-four (24) hour period as normal work.
NCFFA MOU 2005
ARTICLE 30
EMPLOYEE GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE
Section 1 Purpose
The purpose and objectives of this Grievance Procedure of the City of National City are:
(A) To promote improved employer -employee relations by establishing grievance procedures on
matters within the scope of a Memorandum of Understanding between the City and a
recognized employee association for which appeal or hearing is not provided by other
regulations.
(B) To assure fair and equitable treatment of all employees and promote harmonious relations
among employees, supervisors and management.
(C) To encourage the settlement of disagreements informally at the employee -supervisor level and
provide an orderly procedure to handle grievances throughout the several supervisory levels
where necessary.
(D) To provide that appeals shall be conducted as informally as possible.
(E) To resolve grievances as quickly as possible and correct, if possible, the cause of grievances,
thereby reducing the number of grievances and future similar complaints.
This grievance procedure is applicable to all employees in positions within a bargaining unit
represented by an employee association. This procedure does not supersede the grievance or other
appeal procedures in the Civil Service Rules of the City.
Section 2 Identification Of Participants
For the purpose of this grievance procedure, the following definitions shall apply:
(A) Association: The employee organization recognized by the City to represent employees in the
grievant's bargaining unit.
(B) City: The City of National City.
(C) City Manager: The City Manager or his designee.
(D) Department: A major organizational unit of the City.
(E) Department Head or Head of a Department: The chief executive officer of a department.
(F) Employee or City Employee: A member of a bargaining unit either at the time of initiation of
the grievance of within seven (7) calendar days prior to initiation of the grievance.
(G) Employee Representative: An individual who appears on behalf of the employee.
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NCFFA MOU 2005
Article 31 - Employee Grievance Procedure Page 44
(H) Grievance: A complaint of an employee, or a group of employees or the Association on behalf
of its membership as a whole, arising out of the application or interpretation of existing
provisions of an MOU.
(I) Immediate Supervisor: The individual who normally assigns, reviews or directs the work of an
employee.
(J) Management: (1) Any employee having significant responsibilities for formulating and
administering City policies and programs, including but not limited to the chief executive officer
and department heads; (2), Any employee having authority to exercise independent judgment
to hire, transfer, suspend, lay-off, recall, promote, discharge, assign, reward or discipline other
employees, or having the responsibility to direct them or to adjust their grievances, or
effectively to recommend such action if in connection with the foregoing the exercise of such
authority is not of a merely routine or clerical nature, but requires the use of independent
judgment.
(K) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU): A written agreement between an employee
organization and the City which is a result of the meet and confer process.
(L) Director of Personnel: The Director of Personnel or his designee.
(M) Second Level Supervisor: The individual to whom an immediate supervisor normally reports.
Section 3 Scope of Grievance Procedure
(A) To be reviewable under this procedure, a grievance must:
1. Concern matters or incidents that have occurred; and
2. Results from an act or omission by management which is alleged to be a violation of a
specific provision of a current Memorandum of Understanding; and
3. Arise out of a specific situation, act or acts complained of as being unfair which result
in specified inequity or damage to the employee(s).
(B) A grievance is not reviewable under this procedure if either it is a matter which would require
the modification of the MOU or a policy established by the City Council or by law. Also, a
grievance is not reviewable under this procedure if it is reviewable under some other
administrative or Civil Service procedure such as:
1. Applications for changes in title, job classification or salary;
2. Appeals from formal disciplinary proceedings;
3. Appeals arising out of Civil Service examinations;
4. Appeals from work performance evaluations.
(C) A complaint may not be considered under this procedure if a grievance has been filed on the
same matter under the Civil Service Grievance Procedure (Rule IX).
NCFFA MOU 2005
Article 31 - Employee Grievance Procedure Page 45
Section 4 Special Provisions Of The Grievance Procedure
(A) Procedure for Presentation: In presenting a grievance the employee shall follow the sequence
and the procedure outlined in Section 5 of this Procedure.
(B) Prompt Presentation: The employee shall discuss the grievance with the immediate supervisor
promptly after the act or omission of management causing the grievance.
(C) Submittal of Grievance: The written grievance shall be submitted on a form prescribed by the
Director of Personnel for this purpose. At each level, the form must be completed fully, signed
by the grievant and hand delivered or sent by U.S. mail to the designated reviewer's office
with a copy being sent to the Personnel Office, also within the specified time limits.
(D) Statement of Grievance: The grievance must contain a statement of:
1. The specific situation, act or acts complained of as being unfair; and
2. The specific provision(s) of the MOU which has been violated; and
3. The inequity or damage suffered by the employee; and
4. The relief sought; and
5. The representative of the grievant (if applicable).
(E) Employee Representative: The employee may choose someone to provide representation at
any step in the procedure. No person hearing a grievance need recognize more than one
representative for any employee at any one time.
(F) Handled During Working Hours: Whenever possible, grievance hearings and meetings with
reviewers will be conducted during the regularly scheduled working hours of the parties
involved.
(G) Extension of Time: The time limit within which action must be taken or a decision made as
specified in this procedure may be extended by mutual written consent of the parties involved.
A statement of the duration of such extension of time must be signed by both parties involved
at the step to be extended.
(H) Consolidation of Grievances: If the grievance involves a group of employees or if a number of
employees file separate grievances on the same matter, the grievances may be handled by
management as a single grievance.
(I) Settlement: A grievance shall be considered settled and not subject to further consideration or
re -filing if any of the following conditions exist:
1. The grievant indicates in writing that the grievance is withdrawn.
2. The specific remedy requested on the grievance form is granted.
3. The grievant does not submit the grievance to the next higher level of review with the
normal time limits or extended time limits obtained in writing by mutual agreement.
NCFFA MOU 2005
Article 31 - Employee Grievance Procedure Page 46
(J) Rejection: A grievance may be rejected for consideration at any time during the grievance
review process for any of the following reasons:
1. The grievant does not meet the definition of "employee" indicated in Section 2.
2. The subject of the grievance is outside the scope of the procedure as indicated in
Section 3.
3. The grievant does not comply with any of the requirements of Sections 4 or 5.
(K) Representation: The grievant may elect to be represented by the Association or any other
person or to represent himself/herself. If the grievant elects to not be represented by the
Association, the Association shall be given a copy of the grievance and its resolution.
(L) Deletion of Step(s): By mutual written consent of the department head and the grievant, any
one or more of the first three (3) steps of the procedure may be omitted in consideration of a
specific grievance when it is felt that this is in the best interests of an equitable and
expeditious resolution of the grievance.
(M) Reprisals: The grievance procedure is considered an integral part of the employee -employer
relation policy of the City. As such, it is intended to assure a grievant and his/her
representative the right to present the grievance without fear of disciplinary action or reprisal
of any kind by his/her supervisor or other agents of the City provided he/she observes the
provisions of the grievance procedure.
Section 5 Grievance Procedure Steps
The following procedure shall be followed by an employee submitting a grievance:
STEP I
STEP II
STEP III
NCFFA MOU 2005
Immediate Supervisor: The employee shall discuss the grievance with the immediate
supervisor within 20 calendar days of the alleged act or omission of management
causing the grievance. Within seven (7) calendar days the supervisor shall give a
decision to the employee verbally.
Department Head: If the employee and supervisor cannot reach an agreement as to a
solution of the grievance or the employee has not received a decision within the time
limit, the employee may within seven (7) calendar days present the grievance in writing
to the department head. The department head shall hear the grievance and give a
written decision to the employee within fourteen (14) calendar days.
Hearing:
(a) Grievance to Director of Personnel: If the grievant and the department head
cannot reach an agreement as to a solution of the grievance or the employee has
not receive a written decision within the time limit, the grievant may within
fourteen (14) calendar days present the grievance in writing to the Director of
Personnel.
Article 31 - Employee Grievance Procedure Page 47
(b) Selection of Board Members: Subject to Section 6 of this Article, within seven (7)
calendar days of receiving the grievance at this level, the Director of Personnel shall
meet with the grievant and/or the grievant's representative to select two members of a
grievance hearing board. The grievant and/or representative shall select one member;
the Director of Personnel shall select another member.
The two board members shall select a third member to serve as Chairperson. The
board members may be any persons who are not directly involved in the incidents of
the grievance or in the line of supervision over the grievant either at the time of the
hearing or at the time the incidents referred to in the grievance occurred. Any person
nominated to be the chairperson shall be subject to disqualification and the action of
the Board cancelled if it can be shown that he/she had direct interest in the resolution
of the grievance.
Ic) Hearing Procedures:
1. The board members shall be given prior access to the grievance form, all written
responses and all supportive material attached thereto.
2. The board shall provide written announcement of the location, date and time of
the hearing to each side.
3. The hearing may be public or closed as requested by the grievant.
4. The manager who is the subject of the grievance shall be represented by the
Director of Personnel or other person designated by him/her.
5. Each side shall have the opportunity to present written and oral evidence.
Witnesses shall be under oath.
6. The board shall rule on the admissibility of evidence. Legal rules of evidence shall
not apply.
7. Each side shall receive a copy of the written evidence and have the
opportunity to question the witnesses of the other side.
8. There shall be no shorthand or mechanical recording of the hearing.
9. The board members, if City employees, are entitled to carry out all activities
connected with the hearing, including preparation for the hearing and preparation
of report on City work time.
10. Consistent with the above requirements, the board may establish such additional
procedures as it deems necessary to carry out its responsibilities.
(d) Board Report:
1. The board shall submit a written report of its findings to the City Manager with
copies to the grievant, the appropriate department head and the Director of
Personnel.
NCFFA MOU 2005
Article 31 - Employee Grievance Procedure Page 48
2. The report shall contain only the following:
(a) Recommendation on each specific remedy requested on the grievance
form.
(b) Findings of fact about the alleged violations) by management.
(c) The date, time and location of the hearing, the names of witnesses and a
copy of all pertinent documents.
3. The board may recommend that no remedy be granted, that the remedy sought
be granted or that an alternate remedy be granted. In order to grant some
remedy to the grievant, it must be shown to the satisfaction of the board that
such remedy is justified by a preponderance of evidence is consistent with the
relevant MOU and the grievant met the requirements of the grievance procedure.
4. There shall be only one report from the board.
5. The discussions of the board members are confidential. All copies of materials
and working papers of the board members shall be maintained by the Chairperson
of the Board for 90 days after the decision of the City Manager is disseminated
and then destroyed as soon as practical thereafter.
6. Necessary clerical support for the board shall be made available by the Office of
the City Manager.
(e) City Manager's Response: The City Manager shall provide written response to both
parties and the members of the board on the resolution of the grievance. If the City
Manager disagrees with any recommendation of the Board, his written response shall
indicate strong and compelling reason(s) for that disagreement. Basis for disagreement
may be any one or more of the following:
1. The Board substantially deviated from the hearing procedures.
2. The recommendation is in excess of the remedy sought on the initial grievance
submittal.
3. The recommendation is inconsistent with the MOU.
4. The recommendation is inconsistent with the facts as stated in the grievance
form and/or the written information provided by the Board.
The decision of the City Manager shall be final and not subject to further appeal except
for such appeals to the Courts and State or Federal compliance agencies as
provided by law.
Section 6 Interpretation And Application
The Director of Personnel is responsible for the interpretation and application of this grievance
procedure. In the event of disagreement with the Director of Personnel's actions or interpretations,
the final authority will be the City Manager. The City Manager's determinations on the application and
interpretation of the grievance procedure are final and not subject to further appeal or grievance.
NCFFA MOU 2005
Article 31 - Employee Grievance Procedure Page 49
Section 7 Implementation
If the City later grants binding arbitration as the final step for grievance resolution to the Police
Officers' Association, that procedure shall be incorporated into this Article and applied to the members
of the Firefighters' Association.
NCFFA MOU 2005
SIDE LETTER TO 2005 MOU
BETWEEN THE CITY OF NATIONAL CITY AND
THE NATIONAL CITY FIREFIGHTERS' ASSOCIATION,
IAFF LOCAL 2744
The City of National City ("City") agrees that in the event that the City should
decide to create a paramedic program during the term of this Memorandum of
Understanding, the City will meet and confer with the National City Firefighters'
Association, IAFF Local 2744 ("FFA") regarding the impacts of the decision to create a
paramedic program.
The City agrees that upon ratification of the 2005 Memorandum of
Understanding by the City Council's and the NCFFA's membership, the 2005
Memorandum of Understanding shall be binding on both parties, notwithstanding the
provisions of Article 1, Section 2(b) or 2(c) of the 2005 Memorandum of Understanding.
CIT
Date
CITY REPRESENTATIVE Date
-50-
A PRESID ' NT / Date
FFEPRESENTATIVE Date
HR DEPARTMENT
TM ENT
City pfNational City
DATE: January 19, 2005
TO: Kevin Killacky, NCFFA President
FROM: Alfredo Lopez, Human Resources Director
SUBJECT: 2005 NCFFA MOU - Signed Copy
As you are aware, on January 18, 2005, the City Council unanimously approved the proposed
2005 MOU between the City and NCFFA. Attached is a signed copy of the 2005 MOU along
with the City Council Resolution that puts this MOU into effect. If you have questions regarding
any of the attachments please feel free to contact me. It was a pleasure working with NCFFA
and the City looks forward to discussing items set to reopen during the term of this MOU.
cc:
Chris Zapata, City Manager
Lin Wurbs, Assistant City Manager
Rod Juniel, Fire Chief
Don Condon, Battalion Chief
Larry Beck, NCFFA Representative
Scott Robinson, NCFFA Representative
William Reed, NCFFA Representative
Robert Medina, NCFFA Representative
Michael Dalla, City Clerk
George Eiser, City Attorney
Rudy Hradecky, Senior Assistant City Attorney
Tess Limfueco, Senior Accountant
Mercedes Manalo, Payroll Technician
Park Morse, Finance Director
Human Resources, File Copy
RESOLUTION NO. 2005 — 3
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF NATIONAL CITY
APPROVING A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
BETWEEN THE CITY OF NATIONAL CITY AND
THE NATIONAL CITY FIREFIGHTERS' ASSOCIATION
FROM JANUARY 1, 2005 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2005
WHEREAS, the City has met and conferred with representatives of the
National City Firefighter's Association; and
WHEREAS, said meet and confer was conducted pursuant to California
Government Code Section 3500, et seq.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED as follows:
Section 1. The City Manager is hereby authorized to enter into Memorandum of
Understanding ("MOU") between the City of National City and the National City
Firefighters' Association for the period January 1, 2005 through December 31, 2005.
Section 2. The City Manager is hereby directed to reflect the compensation
plan as set forth in the subject MOU in the final budget for Fiscal Year 2004-05.
A copy of said Memorandum of Understanding shall be on file in the office
of the City Clerk and reference is made thereto for all particulars contained therein.
PASSED and ADOPTED this 18th day of January, 2005
ti
Nick"'' r�/lyour
ATTEST:
9
Michael Dalla,i' ity Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
/✓ :zt
George H. Eiser, Ill
City Attorney