HomeMy WebLinkAbout[05] Coalition of Greater MN Cities CITY OF s- r. JOSEPH Council Agenda Item 5
MEETING DATE: January 19, 2012
AGENDA ITEM: Coalition of Greater MN Cities
SUBMITTED BY: Administration
BOARD /COMMISSION /COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:
PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION:
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The Council had requested information on the Coalition of Greater MN
Cities to determine membership. While the membership fee is not included in the 2012 budget, the fee
could be paid through the refuse fund which has been used for expenditures like this in the past. In
talking to other they too fund the membership through an enterprise fund.
ATTACHMENTS: Request for Council Action
Fact sheet on Labor Services
REQUESTED COUNCIL ACTION: Information to determine membership for 2012.
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Pur•ose
The purpose of the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities Labor & Employee Relations Committee (Labor
Committee) is 1) to develop a coordinated effort among greater Minnesota cities on managing labor and employee
relations and negotiating labor contracts through researching and developing databases, advocating positive changes to
labor processes, and by providing a forum for networking, discussing and implementing uniform labor policies and negotiating
strategies; and 2) to make available expert and coordinated advice —at a significantly reduced rate —on employment and labor
relations issues facing greater Minnesota cities.
Labor Committee Services
The Labor Committee provides the services listed below to CGMC cities as part of its joint action program:
Publications Legislative Services
Quarterly newsletter on relevant labor relations and public Analyze and summarize labor relations and public
employment issues. employment law changes made during the legislative
session and report to cities.
Wages and Insurance Database
Database tracking greater Minnesota labor contract Labor Seminar
settlements and interest arbitration awards on wages, Prepare and present a Labor and Employee Relations
health insurance contributions and cost - saving measures. Seminar, based on topics selected by the Committee, one
time each in the northern and southern parts of the state.
Cluster Analysis Database
Computer Cluster Analysis Database for cities to Committee Meetings
identify comparable cities for purposes of labor contract Prepare materials and present information at Labor
negotiations and interest arbitrations. Cluster Analysis Committee meetings.
is a statistical data analysis tool, which sorts cities into
groups where the degree of socio- economic association Strategy
is strong based on input criteria commonly considered by Develop joint labor contract negotiation strategy and
arbitrators. policy positions /guidelines for member cities to use as
benchmarks in their labor contract negotiations.
Arbitrator Database
Maintain and further develop an arbitrator selection Coordination
database. This database allows cities, on a reduced fee- Coordinate efforts with the LMC and other labor and
for service basis (see Individual Consultation Services), management organizations and governmental agencies.
to request an analysis of those lists of seven arbitrators
received from the Bureau of Mediation Services,
whereby the listed arbitrators are analyzed and ranked for
purposes of selecting arbitrators in grievance and interest Contact Us
arbitrations. For more information, call Flaherty & Hood, P.A., CGMC's
representative, at 651- 225 -8840, or contact
Chris Hood: cmhood @flaherty- hood.com
Brandon Fitzsimmons: bmfitzsimmons @flaherty- hood.com
CGMC Labor & Employee Relations Committee
Individual Consultation Services
Through the Labor Committee program, CGMC cities have access to consultation services on labor relations and public employment
issues impacting their individual city on a reduced fee- for - service basis. Examples of services available to CGMC cities are listed below.
Labor Relations Services Em•lo ment Law Services
Labor Contract Negotiations Representation
Represent cities in labor contract negotiations and Represent cities in negotiations, mediation, arbitration,
mediations with employee unions; develop strategies and administrative proceedings, litigation and appeals.
proposals; review labor contracts and recommend changes; Advice
and collect, compile and summarize data from comparable
cities on wages, health insurance and other data. Advise cities on selecting and hiring employees;
investigating misconduct, harassment and discrimination;
Grievances and proceeding with discipline and discharge actions.
Investigate employee and union grievances, draft
responses and settlement proposals for cities, and attend Legal Compliance
and represent cities at grievance meetings. Review, interpret and advise cities on compliance with
employment laws including, but not limited to, the following:
Arbitrations public labor relations laws (PELRA), discrimination laws
Represent cities in grievance and interest arbitration (Title VII, ADEA, ADA, MHRA), wage and hour laws
hearings, and compile and analyze relevant data, including (FLSA), health and benefits laws (FMLA, PERA), Data
ability to pay and comparable cities analyses. Practices Act, Open Meeting Law, Veterans' Preference
Act and Pay Equity Act.
Arbitrator Selection
Research state provided lists of arbitrators for grievance Investigations
and interest arbitrations and provide ranking order for Investigate personnel misconduct, performance problems,
purposes of striking and selection. harassment and discrimination.
Bureau of Mediation Services (BMS) Proceedings
Prepare responses to and filings with the Bureau of
Mediation Services (BMS) and represent cities at
meetings, negotiations, mediations and hearings related Fee Schedule
to strikes; certification, decertification and affiliation; unit
determinations and clarifications; fair share fee challenges; The fees for a city requesting individual consultation services
and independent review. for 2011 are as follows:
First 25 Hours of Consultation Services
Human Resources Services The first 25 hours of services provided will be billed to the city
Policy and Job Audits at a flat rate of $100 per hour.
Draft, revise and interpret policies, employee handbooks, Consultation Services Over 25 Hours
administrative manuals, performance evaluations and job Services provided to a city exceeding 25 hours will be billed to
descriptions. the city at a flat rate of $125 per hour.
Management Training Travel time will be billed at 50% of these rates.
Conduct training sessions for management employees
on hiring, performance matters, discipline, handling
grievances and other employment matters.