DECISIONS

Mount Vernon Fire Fighters Local 1983, International Association of Fire Fighters, AFL-CIO

And

City of Mount Vernon

Fact Findings

Arbitrator:      John Cronin

Date Issued:   09/25/1978

 

 

Arbitrator:         Cronin; John

Case #:              01613-F-78-74

Employer:          City of Mount Vernon

Union:                IAFF; Local 1983

Date Issued:     09/25/1978

 

 

STATE OF WASHINGTON

BEFORE THE

PANEL OF FACTFINDERS

 

IN RE:                                                            )

THE CITY OF MOUNT VERNON,            )

                        Employer,                                )           CASE NO. 1613-F-78-74

      and                                                             )

MOUNT VERNON FIRE FIGHTERS       )           FACT FIGHTERS' REPORT AND

LOCAL 1983, INTERNATIONAL              )           RECOMMENDATIONS

ASSOCIATION OF FIREFIGHTERS,       )

AFL-CIO,                                                        )

                        Union.                                      )

 

I.    BACKGROUND

      The Fact-finding Panel is composed of John Cronin (Impartial

Fact-finder and Chairman), Kenneth J. Evans (Employer's member)

and Doug McNall (Union's member).

      The existing collective bargaining agreement between the

International Association of Fire Fighters Local 1983 and the

City of Mount Vernon, Washington, is in effect from January 1

1978 through December 31 1979.  The agreement provides for a reneg-

otiation of the salary schedule for calendar 1979.

      The parties commenced negotiations over wage adjustments on

May 25 1978 and entered mediation sessions July 20 1973 but

failed to reach agreement.

      A hearing in this matter was held on September 6 1978 at

Mount Vernon Washington.  The City was represented by Negotiator

Ken Rudert.  Fire Fighters Local 1983 was represented by Ron

Frydenlund, President.  Both sides were afforded the opportunity

to present evidence and argument in support of their positions.

Post hearing memoranda were received and noted by the Panel.

      The Fact-finding Panel met on September 19 1978, at Mount

Vernon, to consider the presentations.  The Panel unanimously

makes the following findings and report.

 

II.  ISSUE

      The sole issue in this proceeding is what, if any, adjustment

should be made in existing salary schedule.  (Appendix A of

the parties' current contract).

 

III. POSITIONS OF THE PARTIES

      3.1 UNION POSITION The Union seeks a wage increase of 13%.  The

Fire Fighters contend that according to a comparison with other

West coast cities (considered by the union to be of similar size)

Mount Vernon Fire Fighter wages are 10.89% below average.  The

Union argues further that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) of Feb-

ruary 1977 to February 1978 shows an 8.57% increase and the May

to May figure shows a general increase of 9.4% and a 9.3% urban

wage earning increase for the Seattle-Everett area.  The union

contends that these factors together with the increased assessed val-

uation of property in area, justify the 13% command.

      3.2 EMPLOYER POSITION The employer proposes an 8% increase in

wages.  The city, using a somewhat different set of comparable

cities, than that used by the union, argues that... whereas fire-

fighter wages lag behind the average, Mount Vernon is about $22

per month-per man ahead of the average in total remuneration.  In

regard to the CPI, the employer sites the latest urban wage earner

figure... July-July... 8.4%.  The City argues further that loss

of sales tax revenues dictate fiscal caution.

 

IV. FINDINGS FACT

      4.1 COMPARABLE CITIES.  The parties presented no stipulation as

to cities of comparable size to Mount Vernon, on the Pacific Coast.

Some cities used by the parties in their presentations overlapped.

A calculation from most of the cities presented by both parties,

(leaving out Clarkston and Moses Lake which seemed remote) shows

Mount Vernon to be over 6% below average in basic wages but nearly

average in total remuneration.

      4.2 C. P. I. and PAST PRACTICE.  Altho the union based its initial

demand on the February-February CPI increase of 8.57%, we note

that the parties have tended to use of May- May figures in their

past negotiations in the May - May 1978 CPI figures 9.4/9.3%.

We must take cognizence however of the latest changes in these

statistics, and the July 77 - July 78 figure is 8.4%.  The City

argues that the medical and vision benefits negotiated in 1977

are projected through 1978.  We note this but we also consider that

the parties settled the 1977 wage increased with this in mind

since it was below the current CPI.

 

V.  CONCLUSION

      In view of the foregoing the employer proposal of an 8% in-

crease appears too low.  On the other hand effects do not warr-

ant "catching up" to the unions demand of 13%.

 

VI.  RECOMMENDATION

      The Panel unanimously recommends a wage increase of 9.3%.

The Panel recommends further that for future negotiations that

parties establish a mutual agreeable list of comparable cities

and decide on a definite month for CPI guidance.

 

Dated September 25 1978

 

/s/

John Cronin Chairman

/s/

Doug McNall

/s/

Kenneth J. Evans