ITME:

CONSENT CALENDAR

 

3.

CONSIDER AUTHORIZATION TO RETAIN LEAD LABOR NEGOTIATOR

 

Meeting Date:

April 18, 2011

Budgeted: 

Yes

 

 

 

From:

Darby Fuerst,

Program/

Contingency

 

General Manager

Line Item No.: 

Acct. No. 8900

 

 

 

 

Prepared By:

Cynthia Schmidlin

Cost Estimate:

Up to $15,695

 

General Counsel  Review:  N/A

Committee Recommendation:  The Administrative Committee reviewed this item on April 11, 2011 and recommended approval.

CEQA Compliance:  N/A

 

SUMMARY:  It is anticipated that United Public Employees of California (UPEC) / Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA) Local 792 will request that negotiations on successor contracts to the current Memorandums of Understanding with the District’s General Staff Bargaining Unit and Management Staff Bargaining Unit commence later this month. The two-year term for these agreements expires on June 30, 2011.  In preparation for these negotiations, staff requests that the Board consider authorization to retain a lead labor negotiator for the District.

 

RECOMMENDATION:  Staff recommends that the General Manager be authorized to retain William Avery, of William Avery and Associates, as the lead District labor negotiator to negotiate successor agreements to (a) the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District and the General Staff Bargaining Unit, and (b) the MOU between the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District and the Management Staff Bargaining Unit.  Both bargaining units are represented by the United Public Employees of California, Local 792/Laborers International Union of North America. The basis for the proposed contract is the time/effort expended by the negotiator, for an amount not to exceed $15,695. 

IMPACTS TO STAFF/RESOURCES: The $15,695 maximum cost estimate is based upon the amount included the District’s 2009 contract for lead negotiator services.  While not specifically allocated for this purpose, there are sufficient funds in the Contingency line item of the FY 2010-2011 Budget.

BACKGROUND:  Since 2004, the District has employed a labor relations professional to work with District staff representing the Board in negotiations on new Memorandums of Understanding. By using an outside negotiator as lead, staff members representing the Board have been able to participate in arguments and strategy without becoming the negative focus of a sometimes unavoidably adversarial process. This has been of great assistance in promoting a professional and cooperative atmosphere of bargaining, both during and outside of negotiations.  William Avery has many years experience in labor negotiations and is well versed in labor law.  Mr. Avery served as the District’s lead negotiator in 2009 for the current Memorandums of Understanding with the General Staff and Management Staff Bargaining Units. 

 

EXHIBITS

None                                                                          

 

 

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