9.g Temporary change in PW work schedule
To: Mayor, City council
From: Adam Hawkinson, Director of Public Works
Date: May 1st, 2019
Re: Staff Shift Change – Straight 8 hour days
ackground:
The union staff of the City of Scandia has current work hours of 7 am to 3:30 pm. to make
up an eight-hour work day. The union staff has break times of 7am -7:15am for morning
break, lunch break is – 12 noon to 12:45 pm. and then staff finishes out the day at 3:30 pm..
The City has formed a Labor management committee with the union staff and the work
week hours became one of the topics. Both union staff and management have agreed by
consensus to try the new hours.
Issue:
Staff is asking council to approve a shift change on a trial basis from Memorial Day to
Labor Day 2019. The new shift for public works staff would be 7 am to 3 pm with a half
hour break period at the middle of the work shift.
Proposal:
Public works has a policy that allows the staff to come in for lunch from out in the field if
they leave the work site at noon and are back on the work site by the end of break. The
union business agent and management agree that by adopting a straight 8 hour work day,
would not allow enough time for staff to leave the field and come back to the shop for
break. Some cost savings and efficiency the City could see from the change would be
eliminating travel time, staff accomplishing more in the eight-hour shift, and fuel cost
savings. Management would follow the same shift as the Union staff. The change would
require an amendment to the union contract and a resolution from the City Council.
Fiscal Impact:
Management does anticipate an increase in productivity and reduced costs to the City.
Public Works management will provide measured results at the end of the trial period.
Options:
1. Accept the proposal
2. Accept the proposal with council modifications
3. No recommendation
Recommendation:
Option #1
Memorandum of Understanding
Between
City of Scandia and
International Union of Operating Engineers, Local No. 49
Upon request from the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local No. 49 (the “Union”),
the City of Scandia (the “City”) and the Union hereby agree that the Collective Bargaining
Agreement will be modified on a temporary basis as follows, pending City Council approval:
ARTICLE IX- WORK SCHEDULES
9.1 The sole authority to create and/or modify work schedules is vested with the EMPLOYER.
The normal work day for an Employee shall be eight (8) hours, the normal hours of
operation will be 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 a.m. The normal work week shall be forty (40) hours
Monday through Friday.
On a temporary basis, from Memorial Day, 2019 through Labor Day, 2019, the following
schedule will be followed in lieu of the schedule identified above: the normal hours of
operation will be 7:00 a.m. and end at 3:00 p.m. Instead of taking a morning break of 15
minutes and a 45 minute lunch (which included the afternoon break), and for the express
purpose for employees to leave earlier in the day, the City and the Union agree that
employees only break will be one 30 minute paid lunch from 11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
By adopting this straight 8 hour work day, field staff will not have enough time to leave
the work site and come back to the shop for a break. As such, staff will be prepared to
take lunches in the field.
On Tuesday, September 3, 2019, this Memorandum of Understanding will become null
and void without further agreement and the hours of operation will revert back to 7:00
a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with a 15 minute morning lunch and a 45 minute lunch break.
9.2 Service to the public may require the establishment of regular shifts for Employ ees on a
daily, weekly, seasonal, or annual basis other than the normal 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. work
shift. Service to the public may require the establishment of regular work weeks that
schedule work on Saturdays and/or Sundays. The EMPLOYER shall give seventy two hours
(72) advance notice to the Employees affected by the establishment of work days
different from the Employee’s normal eight (8) hour work day.
[24947-32422/2545653/1]
9.3 In the event that work is required because of unusual circumstances such as (but not
limited to) fire, flood, snow, sleet, tree removal from roadways, breakdown of municipal
equipment for facilities or equipment failure in the wastewater system, no advance notice
need be given as required in section 9.2. It is not required that an Employee working o ther
than the normal work day be scheduled to work more than eight (8) hours; however, each
Employee has an obligation to work overtime or call backs if requested unless unusual
circumstances prevent him/her from so working.
The parties agree that this Memorandum of Understanding modifying Article 9.1 does not now
or in the future limit the City’s rights pursuant to the Collective Bargaining Agreement to modify
schedules pursuant to Article 9.2 and Article 9.3.
The parties agree that this Memorandum of Understanding creates no obligation or presumption
of reasonableness for any future requests for modification of normal hours of operation.
The parties also agree that this Memorandum of Understanding is subject to approval by the
Scandia City Council. Should the City Council fail to approve the content of this Memorandum,
this Memorandum shall be null and void.
______________________________ _______________________________
City of Scandia Representative Cory Bergerson, Area Business Representative
Date: _________________________ Date: _________________________