HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD2025-013 Title 3 Bargaining Unit1
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Sponsored by: Sorensen
Introduction Date: August 11, 2025
Public Hearing Date: August 25, 2025
Enactment Date: August 25, 2025
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
ORDINANCE 2025-013
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD,
ALASKA, AMENDING SEWARD CITY CODE, TITLE 3 PERSONNEL,
CHAPTER 3.65 COLLECTIVE BARGAINING, 3.65.010 FREEDOM OF
CHOICE TO CLARIFY EMPLOYEES' RIGHTS WITHIN THE
BARGAINING UNIT
WHEREAS, current Seward City Code contains a provision for employees to opt out of
the collective bargaining unit; and
WHEREAS, code is being amended to clarify that employees included within the
collective bargaining unit shall have the right to choose whether or not to pay Union dues; and
WHEREAS, dues are not required as a condition of employment and are not required to
remain a member of the bargaining unit represented by the Union; and
WHEREAS, this code change further clarifies that differences in the conditions of
employment for employees excluded from the collective bargaining unit that result in differential
treatment will not be a violation of this title.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY OF SEWARD ORDAINS, that:
Section 1. Seward City Code Title X is hereby amended to read as follows (new language
is in bolded italics and underlined and deleted language is stricken):
3.65.010 Bargaining Unit.
the city council as provided in section 3.65.015, e Each city employee included within the
collective bargaining unit shall indieate-whether—that-person-wishes-to-be-goveffied-by-the-terms
have the right to choose whether or not to pay Union
dues, in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal laws. If-netthen-the-empleyee-shall
Dues are not required as a condition of employment and are not required
to remain a member of the bargaining unit represented by the Union. Neither the city nor any city
employee shall discriminate against any employee solely by reasons of that employee's exercise
of this right to choose_ Differences between terms and conditions of employment set
forth in the city personnel code for employees excluded from the collective bargaining unit and
those terms and conditions set forth in a collectively bargained agreement that result in differential
treatment will not be a violation of this title. Each newereyee wise sha" ha -the right to
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
ORDINANCE 2025-013
Page 2 of 2
Section 2. This ordinance shall take effect ten days upon enactment.
ENACTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA this
25th day of August 2025.
THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
Sue McClure, Mayor
AYES: Warner, Barnwell, Wells, Crites, Osenga, McClure
NOES: None
ABSENT: Finch
ABSTAIN: None
ATTEST:
Kris Peck
City Clerk
(City Seal)
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City Council Agenda Statement
Meeting Date: August 11, 2025
To: City Council
Through: Kat Sorensen, City Manager
From: Ashleigh Lipsey, HR Manager
Subject: Ordinance 2025-013: Amending Seward City Code, Title 3 Personnel,
Chapter 3.65 Collective Bargaining, 3.65.010 Freedom of Choice to Clarify
Employees' Rights within the Bargaining Unit
Background and justification:
Current Seward City Code contains a provision for employees to opt out of the collective
bargaining unit. Code is being amended to clarify that non-exempt employees, those included in
the collective bargaining unit, have the right to choose whether or not to pay Union dues. Dues
are not required as a condition of employment and are not required to remain a member of the
bargaining unit represented by the Union
This change further clarifies that differences in the conditions of employment for employees
excluded from the collective bargaining unit (exempt employees) that result in differential
treatment will not be a violation of this title.
Comprehensive and Strategic Plan Consistency Information
This legislation is consistent with (citation listed):
Comprehensive Plan:
Strategic Plan:
Other:
Total amount of funds listed in this legislation:
This legislation (✓):
Creates revenue in the amount of:
Creates expenditure in amount of:
Creates a savings in the amount of:
Has no fiscal impact
X
Funds are (✓):
Budgeted Line item(s):
Not budgeted
Not applicable
X
$ 0
Affected Fund (✓):
General
Boat Harbor
Motor Pool
Available Fund Balance
SMIC
Parking
Other
Electric
Water
$
Wastewater
Healthcare
Note: amounts are unaudited
Finance Director Signature:
Attorne Review
X
Yes
Attorney Signature:
Not applicable Comments:
Administration Recommendation
X
Enact Ordinance
Other: