INTEREST ARBITRATIONS

International Association of Fire Fighters, Local Union No. 1052

And

City of Richland

Interest Arbitration

Arbitrator:      Michael H. Beck

Date Issued:   10/24/2002

 

 

Arbitrator:         Beck; Michael H.

Case #:              16022-I-01-373

Employer:          City of Richland; Washington

Union:                International Association of Fire Fighters; Local Union No. 1052

Date Issued:     10/24/2002

 

 

 

IN THE MATTER OF THE INTEREST    )

ARBITRATION BETWEEN                       )           INTEREST ARBITRATION

                                                                        )           DECISION AND AWARD

CITY OF RICHLAND, WASHINGTON    )

                                                                        )           PERC NO. 16022-1-01-373

                        and                                          )

                                                                        )           Date: October 24,2002

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION          )

OF FIRE FIGHTERS, LOCAL UNION      )

NO. 1052                                                        )

____________________________________)

 

DECISION OF THE INTEREST ARBITRATION PANEL

 

            The Arbitration Panel was selected by the parties to conduct an Interest

Arbitration pursuant to RCW 41.56.450. The Interest Arbitration Panel (the Panel)

consisted of Kelly L. Fox, President, Washington State Council of Firefighters, Union

Panel Member; Anthony F. Menke of the law firm of Menke, Jackson, Beyer, Elofson,

Ehlis & Harper, LLP, Employer Panel Member; and Michael H. Beck, Neutral Chairman.

 

            A hearing in this matter was held at Richland, Washington on April 16 and 17,

2002. The Employer, City of Richland, Washington was represented by Rocky L.

Jackson of the law firm of Menke, Jackson, Beyer, Elofson, Ehlis & Harper, LLP. The

Union, International Association of Fire Fighters Union, Local No. 1052, was represented

by Alex J. Skalbania of the law firm of Emmal Skalbania & Vinnedge.

 

            At the hearing the testimony of witnesses was taken under oath and the parties

presented substantial documentary evidence. A reporter was present at the hearing and a

transcript of the proceedings was made available to the Interest Arbitration Panel for its

use in reaching a determination in this case.

 

            The parties agreed upon the submission of simultaneous posthearing briefs. The

briefs submitted to the Neutral Chairman of the Panel were timely filed and received in

his office on July 8, 2002. At the hearing the parties agreed to waive the statutory

requirement that the Interest Arbitration Panel issue its Decision within 30 days following

the conclusion of the hearing.

 

            On September 25, 2002 the Neutral Chairman provided the other two Panel

members with a memo to be used as an initial basis for discussion. On October 3, 2002,

all three Panel members met in executive session and discussed in a comprehensive

manner the issues in dispute. At the conclusion of this meeting, it was determined by all

three Panel members that further consultation between the Panel members was

appropriate. Thereafter, the Panel corresponded by E-mail as well as by telephone. On

October 23 the Panel engaged in a conference telephone call which resulted in the Panel

reaching agreement on a stipulated Award. The parties further agreed that in the interest

of providing this Award to the parties as expeditiously as possible, there would be no

Opinion and that the Neutral Chairman would sign the Award on behalf of the full

Interest Arbitration Panel.

 

AWARD OF THE INTEREST ARBITRATION PANEL

 

            It is the Award of the Interest Arbitration Panel that:

 

            I.          The appropriate comparators for the City of Richland Fire Department in

alphabetical order are: Bremerton, Kennewick, Longview, Lynnwood,

Olympia, Pasco, Walla Walla and Wenatchee.

 

            II.        Effective January 1, 2001 the base wage of all bargaining unit members

shall be increased by 4.75%. Effective January 1, 2002 the base wage of

all bargaining unit members shall be increased by 3.85%.

 

            III.       Kelly Days shall remain unchanged at 17.

 

            IV.       The Employer’s proposal on insurance, Article 25, shall be adopted,

effective as soon as the Employer is able to put in place the necessary

administrative requirements.

 

            V.        Effective January 1, 2002 the Employer shall contribute $37.50 per month

per bargaining unit member to the Washington State Council of Fire

Fighters Post-Retirement Medical Trust (‘‘Trust Fund”). Each bargaining

unit member will also contribute $37.50 per month to the Trust Fund. The

Agreement shall include the language contained at Article 41, Section 41.3

and 41.4 of the Battalion Chiefs Agreement between the parties.

 

            VI.       With respect to Article 9, Employer Rights and Responsibilities, the

                        Employer’s proposal is adopted.

 

            VII.     With respect to Article 30, Probationary Period, the Employer’s proposal

                        is adopted.

 

            VIII.    The parties have reached agreement regarding Article 35, Agreement to

Bargain, and therefore this issue has been removed from Interest

Arbitration.

 

            This Interest Arbitration Award represents a unanimous Award of the Panel. It is

issued with only the signature of the Neutral Chairman and without the signatures of the

two other Panel members with their consent.

 

Dated:             October 24, 2002

 

Seattle, Washington

 

S/MICHAEL H. BECK__________

Michael H. Beck, Neutral Chairman