REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Approve an Update to the Unit 1 Classified Salary Plan to Reflect the Approved Increase to the 40-hour Special Assignment Pay
Report
BACKGROUND
The Santa Clara Firefighters, International Association of Firefighters, Local 1171 (Unit 1) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) expired on or about December 31, 2025. On or about April 9, 2026, the City and Unit 1 reached a Mediation Joint Recommendation on terms for a successor MOU. The Mediation Joint Recommendation was ratified by Unit 1 membership and approved by City Council on or about April 21, 2026, along with the corresponding update to the Classified Salary Plan. However, the update to the Classified Salary Plan approved on April 21st did not reflect the increase to the 40-hour special assignment pay.
Updated Salary Plan
Section 9 of the Personnel and Salary Resolution requires City Council approval of compensation plans for both classified and unclassified positions. California Code Regulations Section 570.5 requires the adoption of updated publicly available salary schedules by the governing body. The attached Resolution approves the updated salary plan for all classifications represented by Unit 1 consistent with the terms of the subject MOU.
DISCUSSION
As part of the Mediation Joint Recommendation ratified by Unit 1 membership and approved by City Council on April 21, 2026, the special assignment pay for eligible employees on a 40-hour schedule was increased from approximately twelve and one-half percent (12.5%) currently to approximately fifteen percent (15%), and effective the first pay period after Council approval which is April 26, 2026. Normally, premium pays are additional pays provided to eligible employees in addition to their base pay. However, Unit 1 employees eligible for the special assignment pay for being assigned to a 40-hour schedule (from a 24-hour shift schedule) are instead placed into a corresponding classification where the salary range reflects the s...
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