Feb. 3, 2010
Administration Responds to AFSCME Letter
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Editor's Note: On Monday, Feb. 1, 2010 Huntington Mayor Kim Wolfe received a letter from Jim Porter, President of Local 598 of the AFSCME that demanded an “immediate” contract for city workers. The union president complained of unequal negotiation time in comparison to the police and fire unions, lack of a grievance procedure. procedures for filling vacant positions and that they have worked for more than a year without a contract.
Informational picketing resumed Monday in front of City Hall by members of Local 598.
At that time, Huntington Mayor Wolfe declined comment on the letter which he had not seen.
HNN requested comments on the letter. Through Brandi Jacobs-Jones , director of Finance and Administration, the administration now responds to the AFSCME letter of February 1, 2010
Huntington, WV (HNN) -- On February 1, 2010 Mayor Kim Wolfe received a letter from AFSCME Local 598 that stated the desire of the union to resume its informational picket. The letter spoke to several items; they were as follows: lack of time devoted to negotiations with AFSCME Local 598, lack of a grievance procedure, procedure for filling vacant positions, and observation of the contract as previously written.
Inequity of Time Devoted to Negotiations with AFSCME Local 598 vs Other Unions
It is true that the City negotiator met with representatives from the FOP and IAFF to negotiate collective bargaining agreements. However, the City negotiator also met with AFSCME state representative Ed Hartman to establish negotiation sessions on January 28, 2010. As a result of these discussions, a mutually agreeable date of February 11, 2010 has been set as the date for further negotiations. Though the City is prepared to review proposals from all bargaining units regarding health insurance, only the IAFF and FOP have provided proposals for review. Nonetheless, regardless of whether any changes are made to the current health insurance plan, all City employees will be provided the same health insurance.
Lack of Grievance Procedure
Grievance procedures for state employees are typically provided and regulated by state statutory law. Any grievance rights belonging to AFSCME Local 598 employees are strictly contractual in nature. The contract between the City of Huntington and AFSCME Local 598 expired on June 30, 2008. Thus, there is no collective bargaining agreement in effect. AFSCME 598 has been given several opportunities to enter into a "Memorandum of Understanding" as it relates to conditions of employment. The most recent opportunity to enter into an MOU was July 2009. This Memorandum mirrored the language of the expired agreements in many of its terms, including the grievance procedure. Despite repeated attempts to encourage AFSCME 598 to sign the Memorandum of Understanding, the union has refused to enter into said agreement. The local union could have had a grievance process in place if it would have so chosen.
Procedure for Filling Vacant Positions
The purpose of the new procedural change was to ensure that the City of Huntington has the ability to hire the most qualified applicant available for the job and not merely for the employee who has the greatest length of service without regard to qualifications, skill and merit. We are implementing a system that leads to greater efficiency and removes waste of scarce governmental resources. All Public Works positions continue to be posted internally for a period of seventy-two hours. Individuals, who are interested in the positions sign the bid sheet, submit a resume or updated application, and may undergo appropriate tests and interviews at mutually agreed upon times. In the event that two or more perspective candidates are equally qualified for the position, seniority will govern the awarding of said position.
Observation of Expired Contract
There is no contract in effect for Local 589. The prior agreement has expired. Contract negotiations will continue as scheduled.
The Administration recognizes the employees’ right for an informational picket, and we are confident that the informational picket will not disrupt the delivery of service to the citizens of our great City. Every day we are proud of all our employees and the service they provide to our citizens. Each day we seek to improve as a City and as a community.
Share This Story:
Make HNN Your Homepage (IE Users Only)
Administration Responds to AFSCME Letter
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Editor's Note: On Monday, Feb. 1, 2010 Huntington Mayor Kim Wolfe received a letter from Jim Porter, President of Local 598 of the AFSCME that demanded an “immediate” contract for city workers. The union president complained of unequal negotiation time in comparison to the police and fire unions, lack of a grievance procedure. procedures for filling vacant positions and that they have worked for more than a year without a contract.
Informational picketing resumed Monday in front of City Hall by members of Local 598.
At that time, Huntington Mayor Wolfe declined comment on the letter which he had not seen.
HNN requested comments on the letter. Through Brandi Jacobs-Jones , director of Finance and Administration, the administration now responds to the AFSCME letter of February 1, 2010
Huntington, WV (HNN) -- On February 1, 2010 Mayor Kim Wolfe received a letter from AFSCME Local 598 that stated the desire of the union to resume its informational picket. The letter spoke to several items; they were as follows: lack of time devoted to negotiations with AFSCME Local 598, lack of a grievance procedure, procedure for filling vacant positions, and observation of the contract as previously written.
Inequity of Time Devoted to Negotiations with AFSCME Local 598 vs Other Unions
It is true that the City negotiator met with representatives from the FOP and IAFF to negotiate collective bargaining agreements. However, the City negotiator also met with AFSCME state representative Ed Hartman to establish negotiation sessions on January 28, 2010. As a result of these discussions, a mutually agreeable date of February 11, 2010 has been set as the date for further negotiations. Though the City is prepared to review proposals from all bargaining units regarding health insurance, only the IAFF and FOP have provided proposals for review. Nonetheless, regardless of whether any changes are made to the current health insurance plan, all City employees will be provided the same health insurance.
Lack of Grievance Procedure
Grievance procedures for state employees are typically provided and regulated by state statutory law. Any grievance rights belonging to AFSCME Local 598 employees are strictly contractual in nature. The contract between the City of Huntington and AFSCME Local 598 expired on June 30, 2008. Thus, there is no collective bargaining agreement in effect. AFSCME 598 has been given several opportunities to enter into a "Memorandum of Understanding" as it relates to conditions of employment. The most recent opportunity to enter into an MOU was July 2009. This Memorandum mirrored the language of the expired agreements in many of its terms, including the grievance procedure. Despite repeated attempts to encourage AFSCME 598 to sign the Memorandum of Understanding, the union has refused to enter into said agreement. The local union could have had a grievance process in place if it would have so chosen.
Procedure for Filling Vacant Positions
The purpose of the new procedural change was to ensure that the City of Huntington has the ability to hire the most qualified applicant available for the job and not merely for the employee who has the greatest length of service without regard to qualifications, skill and merit. We are implementing a system that leads to greater efficiency and removes waste of scarce governmental resources. All Public Works positions continue to be posted internally for a period of seventy-two hours. Individuals, who are interested in the positions sign the bid sheet, submit a resume or updated application, and may undergo appropriate tests and interviews at mutually agreed upon times. In the event that two or more perspective candidates are equally qualified for the position, seniority will govern the awarding of said position.
Observation of Expired Contract
There is no contract in effect for Local 589. The prior agreement has expired. Contract negotiations will continue as scheduled.
The Administration recognizes the employees’ right for an informational picket, and we are confident that the informational picket will not disrupt the delivery of service to the citizens of our great City. Every day we are proud of all our employees and the service they provide to our citizens. Each day we seek to improve as a City and as a community.
Share This Story:
Make HNN Your Homepage (IE Users Only)
