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CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2013 -052
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD,
ALASKA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A
REVISED CONTRACT WITH THE INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD
OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS (IBEW) EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2013 AND
ENDING JUNE 30, 2016
WHEREAS, the City of Seward and the IBEW have negotiated and agreed upon a new
contract governing the wages and working conditions for electrical linemen and operators employed
by the City: and
WHEREAS, the City and the Union have tentatively agreed to the terms and conditions as
outlined in the attached contract which expires June 30, 2016.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SEWARD, ALASKA that:
Section 1. The City Manager is authorized to enter into an agreement, in substantially the
form presented at this meeting, with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers effective
July 1, 2013 and continuing until June 30, 2016.
Section 2. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.
PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Seward, Alaska, this 24th day of
June, 2013.
THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
David Seaward, Mayor
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2013 -052
AYES: Valdatta. Bardarson, Keil, Shafer, Casagranda, Terry, Seaward
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
ATTEST:
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Brenda J. Ba on
Acting City Clerk
(City Seal` ��
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Agenda Statement
Meeting Date: June 24, 2013
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To: City Council y �r
Through: City Manager Jim Hunt q P
From: Electric Utility Manager John Foutz
Agenda Item: Approval of 2013 -2016 IBEW Contract
BACKGROUND & JUSTIFICATION: The attached contract is the result of several days of
negotiations and is a "tentative" agreement between the City of Seward and representatives of the
IBEW. John Foutz, Manager of the electric utility, was the lead negotiator for the City of Seward
and was joined on the negotiating team by Rob Johnson, Attorney, Kim Kowalski- Rogers,
Accounting Supervisor, and Kris Erchinger, Finance Director. The IBEW was represented by Julius
Matthew, Business Representative, Dennis Traylor, Business Representative, Ben Luna, Journeyman
Lineman and Cuno Hansen, Acting Shop Steward. Both sides were cooperative, productive and
efficient in the negotiations. The new contract has an effective date of July 1, 2013 and will continue
through June 30, 2016. Estimated wages and benefits will need to be re- calculated from July 1, 2013
to the end of the year. The agreed changes in the contract are as follows:
• The addition of a new Section 3.1 (e) Cut Branch Disposal Employee; which will allow the
City electric department to temporarily hire personnel to pick up and dispose of branches cut
by the linemen at a rate of fifty percent (50 %) of the journeyman linemen wage rate.
• The Union agreed to additional language to clarify minimum call -out periods.
• The City agreed to an increase in the Unions Pension Fund Contribution of Fifty Dollars
($50) per year starting July 1, 2013 and ending June 30, 2016.
• The City agreed to a base wage rate of $43.22 (an increase of 2.6% over last year) effective
July 1, 2013, with annual raises during the term of the contract of the Anchorage Cost of
Living Allowance (COLA) with a minimum of 0.5% and a maximum of 3.0 %.
• The addition of a new Section 12.4 Movement of Monies which allows the union employees
to redirect all or a portion of future wage increases to their pension fund.
The wage and benefit amendments essentially preserve the status quo of controlled annual
adjustments that would have prevailed had the prior three -year contract continued in effect.
INTENT: Protect the interests of the City while reasonably providing fair and equitable treatment to
the union employees employed by the City of Seward.
CONSISTENCY CHECKLIST: Yes No N/A
1 Comprehensive Plan: X
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Strategic Plan: The mission of the City of Seward government it is to
2. provide quality leadership and economic wellbeing of its citizens. X
3 Other (list):
FISCAL NOTE: The financial impact of these changes are approximately $7500 in 2013 and $15,
100 in 2014. The hiring of individuals to dispose of cut branches would add to this cost.
Approved by Finance Department: a -■teistia
ATTORNEY REVIEW: Yes X* No
*The new contract has been reviewed by the City hired Negotiating lawyer.
RECOMMENDATION: City Council approve Resolution 2013- authorizing the City Manager
to enter into a new three year contract with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
(IBEW) effective July 1, 2013 and continuing through June 30, 2016.
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