Firefighters' old contract extended
After 18 months of negotiating and mediation between Wichita and its firefighters, both sides at least agree they need help talking to each other.
So all parties involved will meet with a third party — most likely a federal mediator — to work on communication before beginning negotiations on a 2011 contract, under an agreement approved Tuesday by the City Council.
The council retroactively approved the 2010 contract that largely has the same terms as the previous one. It rejected a proposed cost of living increase.
One piece of the agreement called for those involved in the negotiations to learn to work together.
"Historically, city staff and (the union) have had a contentious relationship on both sides when it comes to negotiations," said Rocky Bumgarner, president of the International Association of Firefighters Local 135. "This has resulted in a continual and almost hostile process and ill will among all parties.
"We're going to look at doing some training to help us communicate better. It's not something you can fix overnight. But we need to set aside our contentious relationship."
City Manager Robert Layton agreed.
In his nearly two years on the job, "we've had a number of issues between the city and firefighters that have been difficult to resolve. This is a good time to talk about a different approach," he said after the meeting.
Layton said a federal mediator will probably be brought in "to help us work through this whole issue of relationships. Once we've developed a little better trust (between parties), then we'll go ahead and enter the 2011 contract negotiations."
So far, the two sides haven't accomplished much.
After an impasse was declared last year, a fact-finder's report issued in December called for either a 0.5 percent cost of living increase or setting a minimum mandatory staffing level of 118 firefighters on duty at all times.
The council's vote, which came after little discussion, rejected both proposals, but it did add some amendments while extending the 2009 contract and opened the door to improved negotiations for a 2011 agreement.
At least, Tuesday's decision "allows us to move forward," Bumgarner said.
Bumgarner and Layton previously agreed to seven amendments to the old contract that dealt with such areas as emergency and sick leave and grievance procedures.
As for not getting a cost of living increase, Bumgarner said, "We realize times are tough in the economy."
The half-percent pay bump would have gone to all firefighters. That would have added to the 2.5 percent annual wage increase that about 60 percent of firefighters get. The other 40 percent are veterans who have exhausted all 15 of the increases allowed.
The average annual pay of a city firefighter is $46,194.
For the union, the most important part of the agreement was including "good faith" discussions of minimum mandatory staffing in negotiating a 2011 contract.
"It's time to draw the line in the sand," Bumgarner said.
The union wants the staffing level spelled out in the 2011 contract, something that has never been done in previous agreements, Bumgarner said.
"Minimum mandatory staffing is important for firefighter and citizen safety," he said.
Bumgarner said minimum staffing can be set at 118 without adding more firefighters. The level was at 118 before it was rolled back to 115 by fire administration in late 2009, he said.
Kelly Rundell, deputy city attorney, said the city's negotiating team "is willing to look at staffing proposals because safety of the firefighters and citizens is of paramount importance."
Mayor Carl Brewer urged Layton and the union to work together in improving the negotiating process.
"We have to figure out how to come to the table in a respectful manner," he said.
Contracts with the firefighters have usually been for three years.
The agreement reached Tuesday does not have to be approved by the union, Bumgarner said. Firefighters are not allowed to strike.
This story was originally published January 5, 2011 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Firefighters' old contract extended."