Firefighters & City AgreementRESOLUTION NO. 49-01
ACCEPTING THE TENTATIVE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF
DUBUQUE, IOWA, AND THE DUBUQUE PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS
ASSOCIATION, LOCAL #353 AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN
THE AGREEMENT
Whereas, the Sixty-Fifth General Assembly adopted the Public Employment
Relations Act, Chapter 20, Code of Iowa; and
Whereas, the City of Dubuque is a public employer within the meaning of
Section 3 (1) of the Public Employment Relations Act; and
Whereas, the Dubuque Professional Firefighters Association, Local #353 is an
employee organization within the meaning of Section 3 (4) of the Public Employment
Relations Act; and
Whereas, the Dubuque Professional Firefighters Association, Local #353,
submitted a request to bargain collectively on behalf of the employees within its
representation; and
Whereas, bargaining between the parties has occurred and tentative agreement
has been reached.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. That the terms of the tentative agreement be aceepted and the
Mayor authorized and directed to sign the collective bargaining agreement.
Passed, approved and adopted this
19th day of February ,2001
Terrance M. Duggan
Mayor
Attest:
Jeanne F. Schneider City Clerk
(Council\Resolution FirefightersAssoc 01)
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
MEMORANDUM
February 15, 2001
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
Tentative Agreement Between the City of Dubuque and the Dubuque Professional
Firefighters Association, Local #353
Personnel Manager Randy Peck is recommending approval of a negotiated agreemem with the
Dubuque Professional Firefighters Association, Local #353 for a three-year contract. The
contract calls for a 3% across-the-board wage increase effective July 1, 2001, a 5.68% across-
the-board wage increase effective July 1, 2002, and a 4.81% across-the-board wage increase
effective July 1, 2003.
concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council a~proval.
Michael C. Van Milligen
MCVM/jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel
Tim Moerman, Assistant City Manager
Randy Peck, Personnel Manager
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
MEMORANDUM
January 30, 2001
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
Michael C. Van Miiligen
City Manager
Randy Peck
Personnel Manager ~)
Tentative Agreement Between the City of Dubuque and the
Dubuque Professional Firefighters Association, Local #353
We have reached a tentative agreement with the Firefighters Association. The
agreement is for a three (3) year period and the terms are summarized as follows:
Effective July 1, 2001
3% across-the-board wage increase
Added language that determines how overtime will be distributed for special
events
· Added language that describes how the dress uniform will be provided
Effective July 1, 2002
· 5.68% across-the-board wage increase
Effective July 1, 2003
· 4.81% across-the-board wage increase.
The tentative agreement is consistent with the wage guidelines for Fiscal Year
2002, Fiscal Year 2003 and Fiscal Year 2004. This year, the parties approached
collective bargaining using a process called "interest-based bargaining." This process
focuses on interests rather than positions and is structured using a facilitator.
The facilitation services were provided by the Iowa Public Employment Relations
Board, The Firefighters Association has ratified the tentative agreement. I
recommend that the tentative agreement be accepted.
In order to implement the recommendation, I request that the attached
Resolution be adopted.
AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
THE CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
AND
THE DUBUQUE PROFESSIONAL FIRE FIGHTERS ASSOCIATION
LOCAL #353
JULY 1, 2001 through JUNE 30, 2004-
DUBUQUE PROFESSIONAL FIRE FIGHTERS ASSOCIATION, LOCAL
CONTRACT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PREAMBLE.
ARTICLE 1
ARTICLE 2
ARTICLE 3
ARTICLE 4
ARTICLE 5
ARTICLE 6
ARTICLE 7
ARTICLE 8
ARTICLE 9
ARTICLE 1 0
ARTICLE 1 1
ARTICLE 12
ARTICLE 1 3
ARTICLE 14.
ARTICLE 1 5
ARTICLE 1 6
ASSOCIATION PROVISIONS
RECOGNITION ..................... PAGE 1
GENERAL CONDITIONS .............. PAGE 1
ASSOCIATION DUES CHECK- OFF ....... PAGE 2
COPIES OF CONTRACT ............... PAGE 3
NO STRIKE CLAUSE ................. PAGE 3
GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES ............ PAGE 3
REPRESENTATIVES
AND NEGOTIATING COMMITTEE ....... PAGE 5
PERSONNEL FILES .................. PAGE 6
NON-DISCRIMINATION ............... PAGE 6
BULLETIN BOARDS ................. PAGE 6
WORK PROVISIONS
HOURS OF WORK .................. PAGE 7
WAGE PLAN ...................... PAGE 8
LONGEVITY ...................... PAGE 10
EDUCATION PAY ................... PAGE 10
TEMPORARY ASSIGNMENT ........... PAGE 12
OVERTIME AND CALL-BACK .......... PAGE 12
# 353
ARTICLE 17
ARTICLE 18
ARTICLE 19
ARTICLE 20
ARTICLE 21
ARTICLE 22
ARTICLE 23
ARTICLE 24.
ARTICLE 25
ARTICLE 26
ARTICLE 27
ARTICLE 28
ARTICLE 29
ARTICLE 30
ARTICLE 31
ARTICLE 32
ARTICLE 33
PAYDAY ...................... PAGE 14.
GROUP INSURANCE ................. PAGE 14
UNIFORMS ...................... PAGE 16
SENIORITY ...................... PAGE 16
TRANSFER PRIVILEGES ............... PAGE 17
LEAVE PROVISIONS
VACATIONS ...................... PAGE 18
CASUAL DAY ..................... PAGE 20
HOLIDAYS ...................... PAGE 21
EXCHANGING WORK SHIFTS .......... PAGE 22
SICK LEAVE ...................... PAGE 23
FUNERAL LEAVE ..... .............. PAGE 25
JURY DUTY ...................... PAGE 27
LEAVES OF ABSENCE WITHOUT PAY ..... PAGE 28
ABSENCE WITHOUT LEAVE ........... PAGE 28
CONTINUITY PROVISIONS
SAVINGS CLAUSE .................. PAGE 28
ENTIRE AGREEMENT AND WAIVER CLAUSE PAGE 29
DURATION AND NEGOTIATIONS ........ PAGE 30
PREAMBLE
This Agreement is made and entered into this First day of July, 2001 by and
between th~ City of Dubuque, Iowa (hereafter called the City) and the Dubuque
Professional Firefighters' Association, Local #353 (hereafter called the
Association) and between the City and the Association on behalf of the
employees in the Bargaining Unit, recognized and described under "Recognition
Provisions" of this Agreement,
Page 1
ARTICLE 1
RECOGNITION
The City recognizes the DUBUQUE PROFESSIONAL FIRE FIGHTERS ASSOCIATION
LOCAL 353 as certified by the PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS BOARD CASE
NUMBER 520 dated December 10, 1975 as the exclusive bargaining
representative for the following employees of the City of Dubuque: Firefighter,
Fire Equipment Operator, Fire Lieutenant, Medical Officer, Fire Captain.
ARTICLE 2
GENERAL CONDITIONS
Public Employer Riqhts
Public employers shall have, when not in conflict with other provisions of
this Agreement, in addition to all powers, duties, and rights established by
constitutional provision, statute, ordinance, charter or special act, the
exclusive power, duty, and the right to:
Direct the work of its public employees.
Hire, promote, demote, transfer, assign and retain public employees in
positions within the public agency.
Suspend or discharge public employees for proper cause.
Relieve public employees from duties because of lack of work or for
other legitimate reasons.
Maintain the efficiency of governmental operations.
Determine and implement methods, means, assignments, and
personnel by which the public employer's operations are to be
conducted.
Take such actions as may be necessary to carry out the mission of
the public employer.
Initiate, prepare, certify and administer its budget.
Exercise all powers and duties granted to the public employer by law.
Public Employee Riqhts
Public employees shall have the right to:
Organize or form, join or assist any employee organization.
Page 2
2. Negotiate collectively through representatives of their own choosing.
Engage in other concerted activities for the purpose of collective
bargaining or other mutual aid or protection insofar as any such
activity is not prohibited by this chapter or any other law of the state.
Refuse to join or participate in the activities of employee
organizations, including the payment of any dues, fees, or
assessments or service fees of any type.
Any disagreement involving the interpretation or application of this Article shall not
be subject to the grievance procedure of this agreement or the appeal procedure
set forth in Chapter 400, Code of Iowa.
ARTICLE 3
ASSOCIATION DUES CHECK-OFF
During the term of this Agreement the City of Dubuque, Iowa, agrees, after receipt
of a proper "Authorization for Dues Check-off" card signed by the employee, to
deduct the uniformly required dues as certified by the Financial Secretary of the
Association. Such dues deducted will be transmitted by the City to the Financial
Secretary of the Association.
It is understood and agreed to by the City, the Association and the employee that
the dues check-off authorization may be terminated by the employee at any time
by giving thirty [30] days written notice. [Reference: Code of Iowa. Chapter 20
subsection 20.9 and Chapter 736.A Subsection 736.A5.]
The City shall have no obligation to deduct dues from an Association member
whose net pay for a payroll period, after all other deductions, is insufficient to
cover the total authorized deductions for that payroll period. The Association
agrees to indemnify the City and hold it harmless against all and any suits, claims,
demands and liabilities for damages or penalties that may arise out of deduction of
these dues. The Association further agrees to refund to the City any amounts paid
to the Association in error.
The Association shall reimburse the City for all costs associated with any
substantial changes in the Association's dues structure. There shall be no costs
charged for across- the- board adjustments in the amount of dues.
Page 3
ARTICLE 4
COPIES OF CONTRACT
The City will furnish twenty-five [25] copies of the contract to the Association.
ARTICLE 5
NO STRIKE CLAUSF
It shall be unlawful for any public employee or any employee organization, directly
or indirectly, to induce, instigate, encourage, authorize, ratify or participate in a
strike against any public employer.
It shall be unlawful for any public employer to authorize, consent to, or condone a
strike, or to pay or agree to pay any public employee for any day in which the
employee participates in a strike, or to pay any increase in compensation or
benefits to any public employee in response to or as a result of any strike or act
which violates the first paragraph of this Article.
Any other provisions as stipulated in the Public Employment Relations Act, Chapter
20, Code of Iowa shall be applicable.
ARTICLE 6
GR EVANCE PROCEDURF
A grievance shall be defined as a dispute or disagreement raised by an employee
against the City involving the interpretation or application of certain provisions of
this Agreement, except that any matter governed by Iowa Civil Service Law
[Chapter 400, Code of Iowa] shall not be considered a grievance and subject to
the grievance procedure. Any action or claim is within the jurisdiction of the Civil
Service Commission to decide must be brought under Iowa Civil Service Law.
The City is desirous of obtaining an equitable and prompt adjustment of grievances
Page 4
and grievances shall be settled orally whenever possible between the employee's
supervisor and the aggrieved employee. The employee's supervisor shall be
notified of the alleged grievance within ten [10] calendar days of the date the
alleged grievance occurred. Failure of the employee to notify his/her supervisor
within ten [.10] calendar days of the date the alleged grievance occurred shall
constitute a withdrawal of the grievance. No grievance shall be construed as a
continuing grievance.
The City shall not be obligated to accept a written grievance until such grievance
has been discussed orally with the aggrieved employee and his/her supervisor.
Employees shall have the right to representation at any step of the grievance
procedure.
Step 1
If the outcome of the oral discussion is not satisfactory to the employee, the
employee may submit a written statement of the grievance to the Fire Chief within
five [5] calendar days after receipt of the oral response. The Fire Chief shall
respond in writing within five [5] calendar days after receipt of the Written
grievance.
Step 2
If the grievance remains unsolved on the basis of the decision of the Fire Chief,
the employee may present the grievance in writing to the City Manager, together
with a copy of the reply from the Fire Chief, within five [5] calendar days after the
Fire Chief's response is due. The City Manager, or designated representative, shall
convene a hearing within ten [10] calendar days following receipt of the appeal.
The employee and his/her representative and representatives selected by the City
shall have the right to present information necessary to assist the City Manager, or
designated representative, in reaching a decision on the grievance. A decision
shall be issued within fifteen [1 5] calendar days following completion of the
hearing.
Step 3
If the grievance is not settled in step 2, within twenty [20] calendar days after
receiving the City's written answer, either party may submit the grievance to
arbitration. The invoking of arbitration by the Association shall require approval of
the Association and approval of the aggrieved employee.
The parties shall attempt to select an arbitrator as soon as practical after receipt of
a request for arbitration. If the parties do not agree upon the selection of an
Page 5
arbitrator within fifteen [15] calendar days after receipt of the request for
arbitration, the Federal Mediation and Conciliation service shall be requested to
furnish a list of five [5] arbitrators. A flip of the coin shall determine which party
shall be the first to strike a name on the list. The other party shall then strike one
[1] name. The process shall be repeated and the remaining person shall be the
arbitrator.
The decision of the arbitrator, within the scope of his/her authority, shall be final
and binding on both parties to this Agreement. The arbitrator shall not have the
power to add to, subtract from, or change any of the provisions of this agreement.
Nor shall he/she have authority to rule on matters of law or to render any decision
which conflicts with any law, rule or regulation binding upon the City. The
arbitrator shall not have power to accept or to decide any disagreement which
involves a matter within the jurisdiction of the Civil Service Commission [Chapter
400, Code of Iowa]. The fees and expenses of the arbitrator shall be shared
equally by the City and the Association..However, each party shall be responsible
for compensating their own witnesses and representatives as welt as paying for
transcripts of the proceeding. Awards shall not be retroactive beyond the date of
the occurrence.
Association representatives, when processing step 1 and step 2 of the grievance
procedure shall be permitted to leave work after receiving approval from their
supervisor and shall suffer no loss of their straight time rate of pay but shall not be
eligible for overtime pay or any other type of premium pay. The city shall not be
responsible for paying an employee as a result of his/her participation in arbitration
or Civil Service Proceedings.
The time specified for each step of the grievance procedure may be extended by
mutual agreement. All time limits shall exclude Saturdays, Sundays, and
Holidays. If an answer to a grievance is not given to the employee by the City
within any of the time limits specified in this Article, the grievance may be
appealed to the next step of the grievance procedure. Failure of the employee or
the Association to comply with any time limitations shall constitute a withdrawal
of the grievance.
ARTICLE 7
REPRESENTATIVES AND NEGOTIATING COMMITTEF
The Association shall provide the City with a list of representatives by name,
position and area which each representative serves [if a member of the Grievance
Page 6
Committee]. Changes in this list shall be furnished to the City promptly. The City
need not recognize any Association representative of whom it has not been
informed.
Members of the Negotiating Committee shall be paid their regular rate of pay when
they participate in negotiating meetings during their regular scheduled work day.
The number of employees eligible for payment shall be limited to four [4]. No
payment shall be made to any employee when he/she negotiates outside of his/her
regular work hours.
ARTICLE 8
PERSONNEL FILES
Under the supervision of the Personnel Office, employees shall have free access to
their personnel files maintained by the Personnel Office.
ARTICLE 9
NONDISCRIMINATION
Complaints involving an allegation of discrimination may be filed with the
appropriate agency but shall not be a proper subject for the grievance procedure
of this Agreement or the appeal procedure set forth in Chapter 400, Code of Iowa.
There shall be no discrimination against any employee in the bargaining unit by
either party to this agreement because of mental or physical disability, age, sex,
marital status, race, color, religion, national origin, or political affiliation.
ARTICLE t0
BULLETIN BOARDS
The City shall provide space on bulletin boards, or allow the Association to
maintain their ovvn bulletin boards, at all Fire Stations, for the posting of
Association notices on elections, appointments, meetings, recreational and social
Page 7
affairs. Prior to the posting of' any other notice, said notice must be authorized
by the President of the Association and shall be submitted to the Fire Chief, or
his/her designated representative, who shall approve or disapprove the posting of
said notice.
ARTICLE 11
HOURS OF WORK
A. The hours of work for employees assigned to the Firefighting Division and
employees assigned to the Ambulance division shaIl be twenty-four [24] hour
days for an average of a fifty-six [56] hour week.
B. All other employees shall be scheduled to work a forty [40] hour week.
C. Firefiqhting Division and Ambulance Division
Three [3] platoons shall work an average of fifty-six [56] hours per week in the
following fashion: Each shift shall work three [3] alternate twenty-four [24]
hour days followed by ninety-six [96] hours off duty.
D. Fire Prevention Bureau and Traininq Officers
Employees shall work five [5] eight [8] hour days.
ARTICLE 12
WAGE PLAN
Page 8
The following salary schedules shall represent the regular [straight time or base]
rate of pay for positions covered by this agreement:
Position Salary Step Step Step Step Step Step
Classification Grade A B C D E F
Bi-Weekly Rates - Effective 07/01/2001 through 6/30/2002
Firefighter F-01 91,219.49 91,320.65 91,355.69 91,434.50
Fire Equipment F-02 91,401.81 $1,437.89 91,473.94 91,512.11
Operator
Ambulance F-03 91,479.42 91,515.49 91,551.54 -~1,589.71
Medical Officer
Fire Lieutenant F-04 91,515.49 91,551.54 91,589.71
Fire Captain F-05 91,593.08 91,629.14 91,667.30
Position Salary Step Step Step Step Step Step
Classification Grade A B C D E F
Bi-Weekly Rates - Effective 07/01/2002 through 6/30/2003
Firefighter F-01 91,288.76 $1,395.66 91,432.69 91,515.98
Fire Equipment F-02 -~1,481.43 91,519.56 91,557.66 $1,598.00
Operator
Ambulance F-03 91,563.45 $1,601.57 91,639.67 $1,680.01
Medical Officer
Fire Lieutenant F-04 $1,601.57 91,639.67 ,~1,680.01
Fire Captain F-05 91,683.57 $1,721.68 91,762:00
Page 9
Position Salary Step Step Step Step Step Step
Classification Grade A B C D E F
Bi-Weekly Rates - Effective 07/01/2003 through 6/30/2004
Firefighter F-01 91,350.75 91,462.79 91,501.60 $1,588.90
Fire Equipment F-02 91,552.69 91,592.65 91,632.58 $1,674.86
Operator
Ambulance F-03 91,638.65 91,678.61 81,718.54 91,760.82
Medical Officer
Fire Lieutenant F-04 91,678.61 91,718.54 81,760.82
Fire Captain F-05 91,764.55 $1,804.49 91,846.75
Generally, the minimum pay step in the salary range established for a position shall
be applicable upon appointment to a position in the bargaining unit. Upon
promotion an employee shall be placed in the first step of the salary range
established for the position, except in cases where the increase to the first step
would be less than a one [1] step increase. Under such circumstances the
promoted employee shall be placed in a step in the new salary range that would
provide at least a one [1] step increase.
If an employee is promoted to or enters the City service at the lowest step in the
salary range established for the position, the employee's performance shall be
evaluated after six [6] months and, if satisfactory, said employee shall be
advanced to the next step in the salary range. If an employee is promoted to or
enters the City service at a step other than the lowest step in the salary range
established for the position, the employee's performance shall be evaluated after
twelve [1 2] months and, if satisfactory, said employee shall be advanced to the
next step. Advancements to succeeding pay steps in the salary range established
for the position shall be based upon a satisfactory performance evaluation. An
employee who consistently meets and exceeds performance standards established
for a position is eligible for a one [1] step performance advancement. Employees
are eligible for performance advancements at twelve [1 2] month intervals until
they obtain the maximum step in the salary range established for that position.
Page 10
ARTICLE 13
Section 1
LONGEVITY
Longevity pay shall mean a percentage of salary based on the length of continuous
service paid each payday to employees in addition to their base wage or salary.
Section 2
Regular employees performing satisfactorily for a continuous period of five [5]
years shall be advanced in pay on their anniversary date of hire by one percent
[1%] of their base pay. After [10] years of continuous service, incumbents shall
be advanced in pay by two percent [2%] of their base pay. After fifteen [15]
years of continuous service, incumbents shall be advanced in pay by three [3%]
percent of their base pay. After twenty [20] years of continuous service,
incumbents shall be advanced in pay by four [4%] of their base pay. After
twenty-five [25] years of service, incumbents shall be advanced in pay by seven
[7%] percent of their base pay.
Section 3
Continuous service shall mean service with the City uninterrupted by resignation,
discharge or personal leave of absence without pay exceeding sixty [60] days in
the preceding twelve [12] months.
ARTICLE 14-
Section 1
EDUCATION PAY
An employee in the classification of Firefighter (appointed on or before December
31, 1996) who is certified in any of the following categories shall receive payment
in accordance with the following schedule:
Page 11
CERTIFICATION LEVEL
PAYMENT.
EMT-B
[24]
$20.00 per month [for up to twenty-four
consecutive months]
Advanced EMT-I
840.00 per month [for up to eighteen [18]
consecutive months]
EMT-Paramedic
8105.00 per month
In the event an employee in the classification of Firefighter (appointed on or before
December 31, 1996) fails to renew a certification when due, he/she shall forfeit
the additional payment until such time as recertification is obtained. An employee
in the classification of Firefighter (appointed on or before December 31, 1996)
who fails to obtain certification as an Advanced EMT-I within twenty-four [24]
consecutive months following certificatio~n as an EMT-B shall receive fifteen [815]
dollars per month provided he/she maintains an EMT-B certification. An employee
in the classification of Firefighter (appointed on or before December 31, 1996)
who fails to obtain certification as an EMT-Paramedic within eighteen [18]
consecutive months following certification as an Advanced EM%I shall receive
thirty [830] per month provided he/she maintains an Advanced EMT-I certification.
Employees in the classification of firefighter who are appointed on or after January
1, 1997, shall receive payment in the amount of 8105 per month for EMT-
Paramedic certification.
Payments for Emergency Medical Training certification shall not be cumulative and
shall not be included in the regular [straight time or base] rate of pay or in the
calculation of premium payments or fringe benefits. Payment for Emergency
Medical Training certifications shall commence at the beginning of the first pay
period following receipt of the state certification card.
An employee in the classification of Fire Equipment Operator, Fire Lieutenant or
Fire Captain who is certified as an EMT-Paramedic shall receive payment in the
amount of thirty [830] per month. In the event an employee in the classification
of Fire Equipment Operator, Fire Lieutenant or Fire Captain fails to renew the
certification when it is due, he/she shall forfeit the additional payment until such
time as recertification is obtained.
In the event the City discontinues the ambulance service, the terms of this Section
shall become null and void on the date ambulance service is discontinued.
Section 2
Page 12
Effective July I, 2000, employees who possess an Associates Degree in Fire
Science from an accredited college or university shall receive payment in the
amount of $~105 per month. In order to verify eligibility for this payment,
employees must provide a certified transcript from the college or university ~hat
awarded the Fire Science degree.
ARTICLE 15
TEMPORARY ASSIGNMENT
Effective July 1, 2001 an employee shall receive 914.30 for each full workday [24
consecutive work hours] in which he/she ,is temporarily assigned to work in a
higher job classification in the bargaining unit. Effective July 1, 2002, an
employee shall receive ~15.11for each full workday (24 consecutive work hours)
in which he/she is temporarily assigned to work in a higher job classification in the
bargaining unit. Effective July 1, 2003, an employee shall receive $15.84 for
each full work day (2,$ consecutive work hours) in which he/she is temporarily
assigned to work in a higher job classification in the bargaining unit. This amount
(915.84) shall be increased in the next contract year by the percentage increase, if
any, in the Wage Plan. The employee shall receive the additional payment only
while he/she is working in the higher job classification.
Section I
ARTICLE 16
OVERTIME AND CALLBACK
One and one-half [1 ~] times the employee's regular rate of pay shall be paid for
all hours worked in excess of an employee's regular work schedule. The regular
[straight time or base] rate of pay for employees assigned to a forty [40] hour
work week shall be based upon two thousand eighty [2080] hours per year. The
regular [straight time or base] rate of pay for employees assigned to a fifty-six [56]
hour work week shall be based on two thousand nine hundred twelve [2,912]
hours per year.
Page 1 3
Section 2
Opportunities to work overtime shall be distributed as equally and reasonably as
possible amopg employees. Employee's names shall be listed on an overtime
roster by last day worked or refused.
The procedure for distributing overtime and any modifications to the procedure
shall be subject to the approval of the City and the Association. When an
employee's name reaches the top of the overtime roster and he/she is called to
work, the employee shall report for work unless excused by the Fire Chief or
designee. Overtime shall not be voluntary. The decision and reasons therefore of
the Fire Chief or designee to require an employee to report for overtime work shall
not be a proper subject for the grievance procedure of this Agreement or the
appeal procedure set forth in Chapter 400, Code of Iowa.
Section 3
Compensation shall not be paid more than once for the same hours of work under
any provisions of this Article or Agreement.
At the discretion of the department manager, employees assigned to the Fire
Marshal's Office who work a forty (40) hour work week and who are eligible to
receive overtime may be granted time off in order to compensate for and in lieu of
overtime payment.
Section 4
An employee, having left the premises after a regular shift, and recalled for
additional work shall receive not less than two [2] hours straight time pay. When
such work merges with the employees regular day, this provision does not apply.
Section 5
Any overtime that is a result of special events will be filled off of a Special Event
overtime list. The Association will administer the procedure for distributing
overtime from this list. tt is understood that the Fire Chief or designee shall
reserve the right to determine the number and qualifications of the employees
needed for each event.
ARTICLE 17
PAYDAY
Payday shall.be every other Friday. If the payday is an observed holiday, the
payday shall be the day before the holiday.
Page 14
ARTICLE 18
GROUPINSURANCF
Section 1
HEALTH INSURANCE The City shall pay the full cost of the employee's personal
premium and the dependent premium provided the employee is enrolled in the
Cities designated health insurance plan. Employees who elect to enroll in the
health maintenance organization, preferred provider organization or similar form of
health insurance plan shall reimburse the City in an amount equal to the difference
in the cost between the health maintenance organization, preferred provider
organization or similar insurance plan and the Cities designated health insurance
plan.
Employees who are actively at work are eligible for this insurance the first of the
month following the completion of thirty [30] days of continuous service in a full
time position. [Example: Date of employment - August 12. Effective date of
coverage - October 1.]
Section 2
LIFE/ACCIDENTAL DEATH AND DISMEMBERMENT/DISABILITY INCOMF
PROTECTION INSURANCF The City shall pay the full cost of a life insurance,
accidental death and dismemberment and disability income protection insurance
for employees covered by this Agreement. Employees are eligible for coverage
the first of the month following the completion of thirty [30] days continuous
service in a full-time position.
Section 3.
DENTAL INSURANCE The City shall pay the full cost of the employee's personal
premium for this insurance.
Page 1 5
Employees are eligible for coverage the first of the month following completion of
thirty [30] days of continuous service in a full-time position.
Section
Specific benefits of each aspect of the group insurance plan are set forth in master
agreements which shall in all cases be the determining factor as to the eligibility
and amounts of coverage extended to each employee. Any disagreement
regarding the interpretation or application of specific provisions of the insurance
master agreements shall not be a subject for the grievance procedure of this
agreement or the appeal procedure set forth in Chapter 400, Code of Iowa. The
City shall retain the right to change insurance carriers or change the method in
which insurance is provided, at any time, and such action by the City and the
reason[s] therefore shall not be subject to the grievance procedure of this
Agreement or the appeal procedure set forth in Chapter 400, Code of Iowa. In the
event the City chooses to change insuran~;e carriers or change the method in
which insurance is provided, efforts shall be made to maintain coverages similar to
what is being provided.
Section 5
Except as otherwise provided by law and by this Agreement, the City shall
continue to pay its portion of the group insurance premium for up to fourteen [1 4]
months from the day an employee is absent due to illness or injury, or until the
employee is granted a pension, whichever comes first. However, in no event will
the City pay its portion of the group insurance premium for a period longer than
the employee's length of continuous service in a full-time position
Section 6
An employee may elect to continue group insurance coverages while on a leave of
absence without pay. During a reave of absence without pay in excess of thirty
[30] calendar days the employee shall be responsible for paying the full cost of all
group insurance premiums, with the exception of a leave of absence without pay
granted in accordance with the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993.
Section 7
Whenever a covered employee is discharged, laid-off, resigns, retires or dies, the
City shall discontinue payment of all insurance premiums. Insurance benefits for
dependents terminate when the dependent ceases to be eligible as a dependent or
when the employee withdraws the authorization for dependent insurance
coverage. In compliance with applicable Federal and State Laws, employees and
Page 16
their eligible dependents are entitled to continue their health insurance coverage
after termination of employment at their expense. Request for continuation of
health insurance benefits must be made in writing to the Personnel Office.
Section 8
The City will provide IRS Section 125 Flexible Spending Accounts for medical,
dental and dependent care expenses.
ARTICLE 19
UNIFORMS
Section 1
A new firefighter will receive the required work uniforms, boots and bunker
trousers on reporting for duty. The work uniforms will consist of three (3) pairs of
trousers, six (6} shirts, and work jacket. All firefighters receive a coat, fire helmet,
pair of fire boots, bunker trousers, gloves, fire hood, and replacements as needed.
The city will purchase and maintain, dress coats, and hats in assorted sizes.
These coats and hats will be the property of the City of Dubuque and will be worn
Dy the employees when the need arises.
Section 2
After the first year of service employees will receive a four hundred dollar
(8400.00) yearly cash allowance for maintenance and replacement of the uniform.
Payment will be made in the amount of two hundred dollars (8200.00) in June and
December of each year.
Section 1
ARTICLE 20
SENIORITY
All employees shall serve a trial period of twelve (12) months, After completing
twelve (12) months of continuous service in a full-time position, the employee
Page 17
shall have established seniority and the employee's seniority date shall be
retroactive to the most recent date of employment in a fu~l-time position. For
purposes of computing benefits, length of continuous service shall relate to an
employee's most recent date of employment in a full-time position. For purposes
of the Agreement, the term employees shall mean full-time employee. An
employee may be laid off or discharged any time prior to the end of the trial period
and such discharge or lay off shall not be subject to the grievance procedure of
the Agreement or the appeal procedure set forth in Chapter 400, Code of Iowa.
The Association shall not assert or present any grievance or appeal on behalf of
any employee because of any matter or occurrence whatsoever falling within the
trial period.
Section 2
Layoff and seniority rights for Civil Service employees shall be administered in
accordance with Chapter 400, Code of Iowa. During layoff, the employee shall
not accrue or receive any privileges, benefits or pay granted by this Agreement.
Section 3
An employee's seniority and employment relationship with the City shall be broken
and terminated for the following reasons:
Resignation
Discharge
Death
Retirement
If, after a layoff, the employee fails to report to work within five [5]
work days after being notified to report to work.
ARTICLE 21
TRANSFER PRIVILEGES
An employee seeking a transfer to another station and/or shift shall file a transfer
request with the Fire Chief. Such a request shall be in writing and specify the
station and/or shift to which the transfer is requested.
All vacated positions shall be posted for five [5] calendar days in order that
employees may request a transfer to fill the posted vacancy. Other vacancies
which might arise as a result thereof shall be made available, but only the initial
vacancy must be posted. Seniority in the classification will be the principle factor
Page 18
if more than one transfer bid is submitted for the same vacancy.
Approval or disapproval of such a request shall be at the sole discretion of the Fire
Chief. An employee who has been denied a request for a transfer may request
from the Fire. Chief a written explanation as to the reason[s] for denial. Denial of
a transfer request or the reason[s] for denial shall not be a subject for the
grievance procedure.
ARTICLE 22
VACATIONS
Section 1
After an employee working a fifty-six [56] hour work week schedule has one [1]
year or more seniority, the employee shall be eligible to receive three [3] working
days vacation in each calendar year. After an employee has completed three [3]
years or more seniority the employee shall be eligible to receive six [6] working
days vacation in each calendar year. After an employee has completed seven [7]
years or more seniority the employee shall be eligible to receive eight [8] working
days vacation in each calendar year. After an employee has completed fourteen
[14-] years or more seniority the employee shall be eligible to receive ten [10]
working days vacation in each calendar year. After an employee has completed
twenty-one [21] years or more seniority the employee shall be eligible to receive
twelve [1 2] working days vacation in each calendar year.
After an employee working a standard eight [8] hour day, forty [40] hour work
week schedule has one [1] year or more seniority the employee shall be eligible to
receive one week paid vacation at forty [40] hours straight time in each calendar
year. After an employee has completed three [3] years or more seniority the
employee shall be eligible to receive two [2] weeks paid vacation at eighty [80]
hours straight time pay in each calendar year. After an employee has
completed seven [7] years or more years seniority the employee shall be eligible to
receive three [3] weeks paid vacation at one hundred twenty [120] hours straight
time pay in each calendar year. After an employee has completed fourteen [14]
years or more years seniority the employee shall be eligible to receive four [4-]
weeks paid vacation at one hundred sixty [160] hours straight time pay in each
calendar year, After an employee has completed twenty-one [21] years or more
seniority the employee shall be eligible to receive five [5] weeks paid vacation at
two hundred [200] hours straight time pay in each calendar year.
Page 19
Section 2
It is agreed that vacations are earned during the year of service preceding that
year in which the vacation is taken.
An employee who is on Approved Leave of Absence due to injury or illness, not
service connected, shall continue to accrue vacation credit for a period not to
exceed sixty [60] calendar days following the month of injury or illness.
Section 3
The vacation anniversary date of an employee shall be the same as the seniority
date of the employee.
Earned vacations must be taken within the twelve [12] month period immediately
following the anniversary date of the vacation.
Vacation time is not accumulated from year to year: therefore, under no
circumstances will vacations be requested, scheduled or permitted to run
consecutively.
In the event a holiday falls during the vacation of an employee working a standard
eight [8] hour day, forty [40] hour week, the holiday shall not be charged as
vacation.
Section
Employees who have completed twelve [12] months or more of continuous service
and who are laid-off, resign, or enter military service [provided the City is given
two [2] weeks notice in the event of a resignation or a military leave of absence]
shall receive vacation pay prorated to the last day worked.
Section 5
An employee who has incurred an injury on duty just previous to his/her vacation
and is unable to return to work until after his/her regularly scheduled vacation
period shall be eligible to have his/her vacation period rescheduled at a time
designated by the Fire Chief.
Section 6
The Fire Chief shall approve all vacations and the number of employees allowed
off at any one time shall be at the sole discretion of the Fire Chief. Denial of a
Page 20
requested date for vacation or the reason[s] therefore shall not be a proper
subject for Step 3 of the grievance procedure of this Agreement or the appeal
procedure set forth in Chapter 4-00, Code of Iowa.
ARTICLE 23
CASUAL DAY
Item 1 - Consideration
To afford employees one [1] day with pay, not to be deducted from sick
leave accumulation, to be scheduled by the Fire Chief.
Approving or disapproving the employee's requested date for this casual
day will be at the sole discretion of the Fire Chief or his/her authorized
representative,
The Association recognizes that approval or disapproval of a specific day
must consider the efficient level of service due the general public.
Item 2 - Conditions
The one [1] casual day with pay must be requested, scheduled and
approved by the Fire Chief within the contract period each year.
A new employee must have worked at least four [4] full calendar months of
the probationary period before December 15 in order to be eligible for a
casual day in the contract period.
In the event an emergency situation arises while an employee is on
vacation, and such employee has not used the casual day, upon written or
telephone request and approval, the casual day may be used to extend the
vacation period one [1] day.
Under no circumstances will pay be requested or approved in lieu of the
casual day off with pay.
Once a date has been approved for an employee as a casual day it should
not be rescheduled except under the most extenuating circumstances,
However, it is understood and agreed that an employee may request to take
his/her casual day at a time other then the scheduled day provided that the
Page 21
employee request said day on the employee's preceding work day before
8:00 p.m. It is reserved that the Fire Chief or his/her representative may
grant or deny the request for the unscheduled casual day. In the event that
two [2] or more employees request the same unscheduled casual day off
and thc Fire Chief or his/her representative determine that a casual day may
be taken, seniority shall be the ~letermining factor as to which employee
may take the requested day.
ARTICLE 24-
HOLIDAYS
Section 1
The following calendar days of the year shall be considered as holidays insofar as
the administration of City business is concerned. When the term "Holiday" is
used it shall be construed to mean the following days:
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
J.
New Year's Day
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Veterans Day
Thanksgiving Day
Day after Thanksgiving
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day
New Year's Eve
January First
Last Monday in May
July Fourth
First Monday in September
November Eleventh
Fourth Thursday in November
Friday following Thanksgiving Day
December twenty-fourth
December twenty-fifth
December thirty-first
Section 2
An employee shall forfeit the right to payment for a holiday if scheduled to work
the holiday and does not report or if absent from work the last scheduled workday
preceding and/or the first scheduled workday following the holiday, unless
excused by the City for the following reasons:
B.
C.
D.
E.
Formal leave of absence
Job incurred injury
Funeral leave
Subpoena as a witness
Excused in writing at sole discretion of the Fire Chief: excludes casual day
Page 22
Non-job incurred injury or illness of less than two [2] months duration with
proper doctor's documentation.
Section 3
Employees working a fifty-six [56] hour work week and who are eligible to receive
holiday pay shall be granted eight [8] hours pay for each holiday in lieu of time off.
Employees working a forty [40] hour work week and who are eligible to receive
holiday pay shall be given the holiday off with pay. For purposes of computing
holiday pay only the hourly rate of pay for employees who work a fifW-six [56]
hour work week is computed as follows:
Annual Base Salary
2,080
Section
For employees who are given a holiday off with pay, if their holiday fails on
Sunday, the following day shall be the recognized holiday. If the holiday falls on
Saturday, the preceding day shall be the recognized holiday.
ARTICLE 25
EXCHANGING WORK SHIFTS
The City may permit employees to exchange work shifts provided:
A. The substitution does not impose any additional cost to the City.
B. The City is not held responsible for enforcing any agreement between the
employees.
C. The exchange is not for the purpose of engaging in outside employment.
D. The Fire Chief and officers in charge of the respective shifts approve the
exchange. An employee who has been denied a request to exchange a
work shift may request from the Fire Chief a written explanation as to the
reason[s] for denial. Denial of a request or the reasons for denial shall not
be subject to Step 3 of the grievance procedure of this Agreement.
ARTICLE 26
SICK LEAVE
Page 23
Section 1
It is the purpose of this sick leave provision to protect the employee from financial
loss during an absence from work on account of illness or injury.
Section 2
Employees shall be granted sick leave with pay for any of the following reasons:
Personal illness or injury, not incurred on the job, which renders such
employee unable to perform the duties of his/her position.
Emerqency medical and dental appointments of the employee.
Enforced medical quarantine of the employee.
Life threatening illness or serious injury of an emergency nature of members
of the employee's immediate family provided the family member is a legal
dependent of the employee. Said absence is limited to the duration of the
emergency and shall be approved by the Fire Chief.
An employee who incurs an injury or illness while engaged by another
employer or doing contract work for pay shall not be entitled to sick leave
benefits.
Section 3
Sick leave shall be administered as follows:
Except as otherwise provided in this section, all absences from work chargeable to
sick leave shall be reported to the employee's supervisor at least thirty [30]
minutes prior to the start of work on the day of absence. Failure to do so shall
result in the loss of sick leave payment. It is the responsibility of the employee to
keep his/her supervisor informed each work day of absence chargeable to sick
leave, except and unless the employee presents a certificate signed by a physician
which states that the employee will be incapacitated for work for a specified
period of time. Employees shall not receive compensation by reason of sick leave
benefits until they have completed and returned to their supervisor a sick leave
request form. The City reserves the right at any time to require proof of illness or
Page 24
injury. Proof of illness or injury shall include, but is not limited to, a certificate
signed by a physician which states the extent and nature of the illness or injury
and states that the employee was incapacitated for work for the period of his/her
absence. The statement shall also indicate that the employee is physically able to
perform the essential functions of his/her position. Failure to provide a physicians
certificate containing the above information shall result in the loss of sick leave
payment. The cost of said certificate shall be borne by the employee. The City
may require at any time a medical 'examination, performed by a physician selected
by the City, to determine the eligibility of an employee to remain on sick leave or
return to work or when, in the judgment of the City, an employee's physical or
mental condition is adversely affecting his/her ability to perform the essential
functions of his/her position, or is endangering the employee's health and safety
and/or the health and safety of others. Failure of an employee tO submit to a
medical examination shall be cause for disciplinary action. Said examination shall
be paid by the City. Abuse of sick leave or fraudulent use of sibk leave shall be
cause for disciplinary action.
Section
Except as otherwise provided in this section, employees shall accrue sick leave at
the rate of one [1] day per month of continuous service [3.6923 hours bi-weekly
for employees working a forty [40] hour work week and 5.5384- hours bi-weekly
for employees working a fifty-six [56] hour work week. The term "month" as
used in this section shall mean calendar month. A sick leave day for employees
working a forty [40] hour work week shall equal eight [8] hours. A sick leave day
for employees working a fifty-six [56] hour work week shall equal twelve [12]
hours. Employees shall start to accrue sick leave from their date of appointment
to a fulPtime position and shall be eligible for sick leave after thirty [30] days of
continuous service. Sick leave shall be paid to employees at their regular rate of
pay.
Sick leave shall be charged as follows:
Employees working a forty (40) hour work week shall be charged one [1] sick
leave day, eight [8] hours for every work day [eight [8] hours] off duty.
Employees working a fifty-six [56] hour work week shall be charged two [2] sick
leave days, [twenty-four (24) hours] for every work day [twenty-four (24) hours]
off duty.
It is understood that sick leave shall not be paid to employees who are on their
regular day off.
Page 25
Employees who are on a leave due to a non-job related injury or illness shall
accrue sick leave for a period not to exceed sixty [60] calendar days following the
date of injury or illness.
Section 5
Any unused portion of sick leave shall accumulate from fiscal year to fiscal year to
a maximum of one hundred thirty two [132] work days. Accrual of sick leave
shall terminate upon discharge, resignation, retirement, lay-off or death of the
employee.
Section 6
Upon retirement, employees shall be paid for fifty percent [50%] of accumulated
sick days over forty-five [4-5] .
Example:
105
-45
6O
x50%
3O
sick days [accumulated sick days at retirement
sick days
sick days
sick days x the regular rate of pay
The regular rate of pay for employees assigned to a forty [40] hour work week
shall be based upon two thousand eighty [2,080] hours per year and one [1] sick
day shall equal eight [8] hours. The regular rate of pay for employees assigned to
a fifty-six [56] hour work week shall be based on two thousand nine hundred
twelve [2,912] hours per year and one sick day shall equal twelve [12] hours.
order to be eligible for such payment, an employee must have completed at least
twenty [20] years of continuous service in a full time position in City employment
or retired as a result of a disability.
ARTICLE 27
FUNERAL LEAVE
Ail regular and full time employees shall be granted upon request, time off with
pay for such periods of time as set forth below:
Eiqht [8] Hour Work Day Schedule
A. Death of an employees spouse
Page 26
Seven [7] calendar days with a maximum of five [5] working days pay.
Death of an employees child or step-child
Three [3] scheduled working days.
Death of other members of an employees immediate family
Relationships which are considered as other members of the employee's
family are: mother, father, mother-in-law, father-in-law, sister, sister-in-
law, brother, brother-in-law, grandfather, grandmother, grandchild.
In the event the employee is the person responsible for making
arrangements for the funeral and attending same, a period of time
from when death occurs until the day following the funeral but not to
exceed three [3] scheduled v~orking days with pay.
In the event the employee is not the person responsible for making
arrangements for the funeral, one [1] scheduled working day will be
allowed to attend the funeral providing the funeral service falls on a
scheduled working day of the employee.
Special Provision
It is recognized that a death of a person other than the relationships listed
above could warrant consideration for some paid funeral leave. In this
event, the employee should make the situation known to the Fire Chief.
The Fire Chief may exercise administrative approval consistent with the
intent of this funeral leave provision. The Fire Chief will document
administrative approval by written notice to the Personnel Office.
Twenty-four [241 Hour Work Day Schedule
A. Death of an employees spouse
Seven [7] calendar work days with a maximum of three [3] working days
with pay.
B. Death of an employees child or step-child
Five [5] calendar days with a maximum of three [3] working days with pay.
Death of other members of an employees immediate family
Page 27
Relationships which are considered as other members of the employees
family are: mother, father, mother-in-law, father-in-law, sister, sister-in-law,
brothe(, brother-in-law, grandfather, grandmother, grandchild.
In the event the employee is the person responsible for making
arrangements for the funeral and attending same, a period of time
from when death occurs until the day following the funeral but not to
exceed three [3] scheduled working days with pay.
In the event the employee is not the person responsible for making
arrangements for the funeral, one [1] scheduled working day will be
allowed to attend the funeral providing the funeral service falls on a
scheduled working day of the employee.
Special Provision
It is recognized that a death of a person other than the relationships listed
above could warrant consideration for some paid funeral leave. In this
event, the employee should make the situation known to the Fire Chief.
The Fire Chief may exercise administrative approval consistent with the
intent of this funeral leave provision. The Fire Chief will document
administrative approval by written notice to the Personnel Office.
E. Wake Provision
Upon approval of the Fire Chief, employees may be granted up to three [3]
hours with pay to attend the wake services of a member of the employees
immediate family as defined in Section C of this Article.
ARTICLE 28
JURY DUTY
Employees required to report for jury duty shall be paid the difference, if any,
between the compensation received for jury duty and their regular wage for each
day of jury duty. Expense reimbursement received by the employee shall not be
deducted from the employee's regular wage. Normally this is processed by having
the employee submit his/her jury duty compensation, excluding expense
reimbursement, to the finance office in exchange for the employee's paycheck.
Page 28
An employee who reports for jury duty and is excused shall report immediately to
his/her supervisor.
ARTICLE 29
LEAVES OF ABSENCE WITHOUT PAY
A leave of absence without pay may be granted by the City Manager upon the
recommendation of the Fire Chief. An employee desiring a leave of absence
without pay shall submit a request in writing stating the reason[s] for the desired
leave, the date when the leave is to begin, and the date of return to duty. Failure
to return to work at the end of the leave shall constitute just cause for dismissal.
It is understood that leaves of absence shall not be used for the purpose of
accepting employment elsewhere. An employee accepting such employment shall
be terminated. An employee granted a leave of absence without pay, upon
completion of said leave, shall be returned to the same position and the same pay
step within the pay grade corresponding to the classification occupied at the time
the leave began. Except as provided in the Family and Medical Leave Act of
1993, during a leave of absence without pay, the employee shall continue to
accrue seniority, but will not accrue or receive any other privileges, benefits or pay
granted by this Agreement.
ARTICLE 30
ABSENCE WITHOUT LEAVF
If an employee is absent from work without proper authorization for part or all of a
work day, such absence shall be without pay and shall be grounds for disciplinary
action. Absence without authorization for a period of two [2] consecutive work
days shall be regarded as a resignation.
ARTICLE 31
SAVINGS CLAUSE
Should any article, section or portion thereof of this Agreement be restrained or
held unlawful and unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction, such
Page 29
decision of the court shall apply only to the specified article, section or portion
thereof restrained or declared null and void in the decision and the remainder of
this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect,
ARTICLE 32
ENTIRE AGREEMENT AND WAIVER CLAUSF
This Agreement supersedes and cancels all previous Agreements between the City
and the Association and constitutes the entire Agreement between the parties and
concludes collective bargaining for its term, The parties acknowledge that during
negotiations which resulted in this Agreement each had the unlimited right and
opportunity to make demands and proposals with respect to any subject or matter
not removed by law from the area of collective bargaining, and that the
Agreements arrived at by the parties after the exercise of that right and
opportunity are set forth in this Agreement.
Page 3 0
ARTICLE 33
DURATION AND NEGOTIATIONS
This Agreement shall be effective as of the first (1) day of July, 2001, and shall
remain in full force and effect through the thirtieth (30th) day of June, 2004.
Negotiations for a succeeding Agreement to become effective on July 1, 2004,
shall begin after August 15, 2003, but not later than October 15, 2003.
Signed this 27th day of February, 2001.
,2001.
DUBUQUE PROFESSIONAL
FIREFIGHTERS' ASSOCIATION, LOCAL # 353
/s/ Michael Gabriel
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
/s/ Terrance M. Duggan, Mayor
Randy Peck
ATTEST:
/S/ JEANNE F. SCHNEIDER, CITY CLERK
CITY CLERK