IV.6. Approval of 2018-2020 Union Contract with AFSCME; Lenz
June 18, 2018 City Council Report 2018-079
Approval of 2018-2020 Union Contract with AFSCME
Proposed Action: Staff recommends the following motions: Move approval of the 2018-2020
Contract with AFSCME.
This will ratifiy a three year contract with AFSCME.
Overview
This is the City’s first contract with AFSCME as the union representative; previously this group
was the Hopkins Municipal Employees Association (HMEA). We went through a union
clarification process with the State’s Bureau of Mediation Services as part of the reorganization.
As a result, there were some members removed and some members who were put into the
bargaining unit.
The contract calls for a 2.75% wage increase effective January 1, 2018 and a 3.0% for 2019 and
2020. We have restructured insurance to three levels of coverage (Single, Single
+Spouse/Children and Family) the City’s contribution was also increased for all three levels. For
2019 and 2020, the contract agrees to increase the premiums based on the total increase amount
for the cheapest available plan.
Primary Issues to Consider
What other economic issues are included in the new contract?
How does this agreement fit with the 2018 Budget?
Analysis of Issues
What other economic issues are included in the new contract?
As a result of the union clarification process, IT Technicians are now included in this
group. They will now receive standby pay for their time on-call this adds approximately
$12,000 in unexpected cost to the contract. Unit clarification occurred after standby
language had already been agreed to.
The contract includes two weeks of paid paternity leave effective 1/1/2019; we plan to
extend to all city staff.
The contract includes three days of paid bereavement leave; we plan to extend the policy
to all city staff.
How does this agreement fit with the 2018 Budget?
The cost of the basic contract is within budget; the additional cost for IT on-call was not
planned, however staff believes we should be able to find the funds needed for this year’s
budget.
Alternatives
1. Approve the contract.
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2. Do not approve the contract. Staff would have to renegotiate the contract.
Staff recommends Alternative #1.
_____________________
Ari Lenz, Assistant City Manager
Financial Impact: $ 140,939.19 Budgeted Y/N: _Y___ Source: Varies
Notes: Full copy of contract available upon request.