REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Authorize the City Manager to execute the 2020-2025 Memorandum of Understanding Between the City of Santa Clara and the Santa Clara Firefighters, International Association of Firefighters, Local 1171 (hereafter, "Unit 1"), that incorporates the terms of the Tentative Agreement and Approve the Related Budget Amendment
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Enhance Community Engagement and Transparency
BACKGROUND
The Santa Clara Firefighters, International Association of Firefighters, Local 1171 (hereafter, "Unit 1") Memorandum of Understanding (hereafter, "MOU") expired on December 26, 2020.
Given the ongoing challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the surrounding uncertainty, and its impacts on the City's ongoing budget deficit, the City and Unit 1 engaged in discussions on a successor MOU in an effort to reduce the City's estimated General Fund deficit. As of February 2022, the City projects a substantial General Fund ongoing shortfall of $19.6 million in FY 2023/24, which is largely the result of COVID-19 induced impacts on the City's revenues. This shortfall was revised to $27 million in June 2022 based on projected labor costs.
As previously noted, the City of Santa Clara's collective bargaining agreement with Unit 1 expired on December 26, 2020. The City and Unit 1 began formal negotiations on a successor MOU in approximately November 2020, and the parties had approximately eighteen (18) formal negotiation sessions. In addition, the parties met informally in order to discuss terms that may be included in an overall agreement on a successor MOU. On or about June 15, 2022, the parties reached an overall Tentative Agreement on the terms to be contained in a successor MOU. Unit 1 notified the City on or about July 2, 2022, that the Tentative Agreement was ratified by Unit 1 membership.
DISCUSSION
The recommended action authorizes the City Manager to execute a successor Memorandum of Understanding with a term of December 27, 202...
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