HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 02 Approval of the Three-Year Collective Bargaining Agreement between the City of Ocoee and the City of Ocoee Professional Firefighters Union, I.A.F.F. Local 3623 ocoee
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AGENDA ITEM COVER SHEET
Meeting Date: December 1, 2020
Item # o�
Reviewed By:
Contact Name: Craig Shadrix Department Director:
Contact Number: 3111 City Manager:
Subject: Approval of the Three-year Collective Bargaining Agreement between the City of
Ocoee and the City of Ocoee Professional Firefighters Union, I.A.F.F. Local 3623
Background Summary:
This Collective Bargaining Agreement governs the terms and conditions of employment for Fire Department
Employees covered under the IAFF Union.
Issue:
The previous Collective Bargaining Agreement with the IAFF ended September 30, 2017.
Recommendations:
Staff respectfully recommends the Commission adopt the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Attachments:
Attachments include the entire Collective Bargaining Agreement document, and a summary of highlighted changes.
Financial Impact:
Effective upon ratification through September 30, 2020, all bargaining unit members shall receive the same
percentage (9% total upon ratification which equates to 3% for each year of the contract) increase to their base
rate of pay as the general employees of the City; additionally, the paramedic incentive shall be increased from
$7250 to $8000.
Type of Item: (please mark with an x)
Public Hearing For Clerk's Dent Use:
Ordinance First Reading X Consent Agenda
Ordinance Second Reading Public Hearing
Resolution Regular Agenda
X Commission Approval
Discussion&Direction
Original Document/Contract Attached for Execution by City Clerk
Original Document/Contract Held by Department for Execution
Reviewed by City Attorney N/A
Reviewed by Finance Dept. N/A
Reviewed by ( ) N/A
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COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
IAFF, LOCAL 3623
AND
CITY OF OCOEE
Fiscal Years 2017-18, 2018-19, and 2019-20
Ratified Contract
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE I: RECOGNITION AND INTENT OF AGREEMENT
Section 1.1 Parties 1
Section 1.2 Recognition 1
Section 1.3 Entire Agreement 1
Section 1.4 Effect of Laws and Ordinances 1
Section 1.5 Purpose 2
ARTICLE II: DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES
Section 2.1 Union Activities 3
Section 2.2 Non-Discrimination 3
ARTICLE III: UNION SECURITY AND CHECKOFF
Section 3.1 Dues 4
Section 3.2 Amount 4
Section 3.3 Remittance 4
Section 3.4 Recourse 5
Section 3.5 Minimum Pay 5
Section 3.6 Withdrawal 5
Section 3.7 Indemnity 5
ARTICLE IV: UNION BUSINESS
Section 4.1 Representation and Notice 6
Section 4.2 Activities 6
Section 4.3 Time 6
Section 4.4 Visitation 7
Section 4.5 Solicitation and Distribution 7
Section 4.6 Time-Off Without Loss of Pay 8
Section 4.7 Bulletin Boards and E-mail 8
ARTICLE V: MANAGEMENT RIGHTS
Section 5.1 Functions of Management 9
Section 5.2 Operations and Direction of Work Force 9
Section 5.3 Restrictions Under this Agreement 9
Section 5.4 Waiver 9
Section 5.5 Emergencies 10
Section 5.6 Job Duties 10
ARTICLE VI: GRIEVANCE AND ARBITRATION
Section 6.1 Grievance 11
Section 6.2 Grievance Procedure 11
Section 6.3 Arbitration 13
Section 6.4 Grievances by Non-Union Member 14
Section 6.5 General 15
Ratified Contract
Section 6.6 Time Off/Pay 15
ARTICLE VII: PROMOTION
Section 7.1 Promotion Eligibility List and Promotion 17
Section 7.2 Application of City PRR 19
Section 7.3 Union Representation 19
ARTICLE VIII: VOTING 20
ARTICLE IX: SPECIAL MEETINGS 21
ARTICLE X: NON-BARBAINING UNIT EMPLOYEES 22
ARTICLE XI: INSURANCE AND PENSION
Section 11.1 Insurance 23
Section 11.2 Pension 23
Section 11.3 Pension Multiplier 24
Section 11.4 VEBA— Other Post-Employment Benefits 24
ARTICLE XII: STRIKES 26
ARTICLE XIII: Time Trades
Section 13.1 Application 27
Section 13.2 Payback 27
Section 13.3 Authorization 27
Section 13.4 Emergencies 27
Section 13.5 Qualifications 27
Section 13.6 Definition 28
ARTICLE XIV: HOLIDAYS
Section 14.1 Days Observed 29
Section 14.2 Eligibility for Holiday Pay 29
ARTICLE XV: PAID TIME OFF
Section 15.1 Eligibility 30
Section 15.2 Accrual of Leave 30
Section 15.3 PRR 31
Section 15.4 PTO per Shift 31
ARTICLE XVI: USE OF PERSONAL VEHICLES 32
ARTICLE XVII: HOURS OF WORK AND WORK SCHEDULE
Section 17.1 Basic Work Schedule 33
Section 17.2 Overtime 33
Section 17.3 Assignment of Overtime 35
Section 17.4 Compensatory Time Off 36
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ARTICLE XVIII: LIGHT DUTY
Section 18.1 Compensation 38
Section 18.2 Determination 38
ARTICLE XIX: WAGES
Section 19.1 Pay Increases 39
Section 19.2 Paramedic Incentive Pay 40
Section 19.3 Other Incentive Pay 40
Section 19.4 Starting Pay 40
ARTICLE XX: UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT
Section 20.1 Uniforms 41
Section 20.2 Initial Issue 41
Section 20.3 Replacement 42
Section 20.4 Maintenance 42
Section 20.5 Changes 43
ARTICLE XXI: PROBATIONARY PERIOD
Section 21.1 Initial Probationary Period 44
Section 21.2 Promotional Probation 44
Section 21.3 Grievances 44
Section 21.4 Transfers and Waiving Probation 44
ARTICLE XXII: REDUCED ACTIVITY PERIOD
Section 22.1 Hours 46
Section 22.2 Activity 46
Section 22.3 Good Health Activities 46
Section 22.4 Emergencies 46
Section 22.5 Contact Sports 47
Section 22.6 Adverse Weather Protocol 47
ARTICLE XXIII: CONTIINUOUS EMPLOYMENT
Section 23.1 Vacation Picks 48
Section 23.2 Floaters 48
Section 23.3 Layoff and Recall 48
ARTICLE XXIV: PERSONAL PROPERTY REPLACEMENT 49
ARTICLE XXV: SAFETY, HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS
Section 25.1 General 50
Section 25.2 Equipment 50
Section 25.3 Medical Examinations 51
Section 25.4 Cooperation 52
ARTICLE XXVI: WORKING OUT OF CLASSIFICATION 53
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ARTICLE XXVII: EDUCATION 54
ARTICLE XXVIII: DURATION 55
RATIFICATION: 56
APPENDIX: GRIEVANCE FORM 57
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ARTICLE I: RECOGNITION AND INTENT
Section 1.1: Parties.
This Agreement (hereinafter "Agreement," "CBA" or "Contract") is entered into by
and between the City of Ocoee (hereinafter, "Employer") and the City of Ocoee
Professional Firefighters Union, I.A.F.F. Local #3623 (hereinafter, "the Union").
Section 1.2: Recognition.
The City hereby recognizes the Union as the exclusive bargaining representative
for all regular full-time employees in the units certified by the Public Employees Relations
Commission certification in Case No. RC-96-008 and Case No. RC-2001-037.
Section 1.3: Entire Agreement.
This Agreement constitutes the entire Agreement and understanding between the
parties and shall not be modified, altered, changed or amended in any respect except on
mutual agreement set forth in writing and signed by authorized representatives of both
parties, and supersedes any and all previous agreements and understandings between
the parties, either written or orally.
Section 1.4: Effect of Laws and Ordinances.
Nothing in this Agreement shall require either party to act in violation of any federal
or state law or city ordinances and regulations, which shall take precedence when
inconsistent with Agreement. In the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement
shall be held in violation of any federal or state law or city ordinances as applied to this
specific Agreement, such determinations shall not in any way affect the remaining
provisions of this Agreement, unless otherwise provided by law.
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Section 1.5: Purpose.
It is contemplated that this Agreement will ensure that members of the bargaining
unit will at all times be responsible to and make every effort to carry forward the legitimate
activities and functions of the Department with alacrity and dispatch, and will accept and
promptly execute all lawful orders and instructions given to them, and by defining the City
obligations to the Union and members of the bargaining unit, thus avoiding disputes due to
misunderstandings; as well as providing a procedure for resolution of any claims that this
collective bargaining agreement has been violated.
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ARTICLE II: DECLARATION OF PRINCIPALS
Section 2.1: Union Activities.
City employees shall have the right to be represented by an employee organization
of their own choosing or to refrain from doing so in accordance with Florida Statutes
Chapter 447.
Section 2.2: Non-Discrimination.
A. There shall be no illegal discrimination against any employee in examination,
training, promotion, retention, or any other personnel action because of race, color, creed,
sex, sexual status, religion, age, national origin, marital status, or legally recognized
disability.
B. Employees with a legally recognized disability, who are otherwise qualified,
will be provided reasonable accommodation as determined by the City to fulfill the
essential functions of their job so long as such accommodation does not constitute an
undue hardship to the City.
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ARTICLE III: UNION SECURITY AND CHECKOFF
Section 3.1: Dues.
The Employer will deduct bi-weekly Union dues from the paychecks of those Unit
employees who authorize such deduction in writing in the manner allowed by law.
Deductions will begin the second pay period after the Employer receives such written
authorization. No deduction shall be allowed for payment of initiation fees, assessment or
fines.
Section 3.2: Amount.
The Union will notify the City Director of Human Resources (hereinafter "HRD") as
to the amount of dues. This notice must state the biweekly amount in dollars and cents for
each individual member. Such notification will be certified to the HRD in writing over the
signature of an authorized officer of the Union at least thirty (30) calendar days in advance
of the effective date of such change. The City shall charge the deduction as soon as
practically consistent with its normal bookkeeping procedures, but no less than thirty (30)
days after the change is certified to the HRD, so long as the certification is legally
sufficient.
Section 3.3: Remittance.
With written instructions provided by the Union and a written authorization from the
employee acceptable to the City, the City will direct deposit Union members' dues to the
Union's account, provided the Union pays the same administrative cost for direct deposits
that each non-charitable organizations are charged for direct deposit by the City. Direct
deposits will cease upon written notice, next payroll following written notice from the
employee of same.
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Section 3.4: Recourse.
If there is an amount deducted in excess of what is authorized by the employee, the
City will reimburse the employee provided a timely grievance is filed if the excess
deduction was made as a result of a mistake by the City; otherwise, the employee shall
have recourse only against the Union.
Section 3.5: Minimum Pay.
No deduction shall be made from the pay of any payroll period in which the
employee's net earnings for that payroll period, after other authorized or legally required
deductions, are less than the amount of dues to be checked off.
Section 3.6: Withdrawal.
Any member can stop payroll deduction by giving written notice to the Public
Employer and the Union. The Employer shall stop the deductions thirty (30) days after
receipt of written notice from the employee.
Section 3.7: Indemnity.
The Union will indemnify, defend, and hold the City harmless against any and all
claims, demands, or suits or other forms of liability that shall arise out of, or by reason of
action taken or not taken by the City on account of payroll deductions of Union dues.
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ARTICLE IV: UNION BUSINESS
Section 4.1: Representation and Notice.
The Union shall be represented by its President. The Union shall notify the HRD in
writing of the names of its President, as well as any designated substitute for the President
to serve as the Union representative in the President's absence. The City is not required
to deal with anyone as a representative of the Union except its President or, in his/her
absence, his/her designee and in written form. The City will deal with only one (1)
representative of the Union with respect to each matter or grievance raised.
Section 4.2: Activities.
The Union President, or his designee, shall carry out their activities on behalf of the
Union, including investigating or settling grievances, after 5:00 p.m., except in cases of
emergencies the Union President, or his/her designee, with prior permission from the
Chief, or his designee, may engage in such activities prior to 5:00 p.m., so long as there is
no interference with the work activities of employees or the mission of the Department.
When the Union President, or his/her designee, is engaging in such activities while on
duty, there shall be no loss of pay. When the Union President, or his/her designee, is
engaging in such activities when they are off duty, they shall not be entitled to pay.
Section 4.3: Time.
It is expected that the investigation and processing of grievances, by the Union
President, or his/her designee, to the extent that the time of unit employees is required,
will occur during the off-duty time of those involved.
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Section 4.4: Visitation.
The Chief, or his/her designee, shall permit one authorized non-employee Business
Agent of the Union reasonable access to the Fire Stations to handle grievances arising
under this Agreement prior to 5:00 p.m., provided that such visits do not disrupt routine
operations as determined by the Chief, or his/her designee. The Business Agent designed
to have access to the Department shall first obtain the permission from the Chief, or his
designee, which will normally be the ranking officer on duty at the station at the time,
before coming into any working area, and may, at the option of the Chief, or his/her
designee, be accompanied by a managerial employee in the event the Union agent needs
to visit a particular area of a station. The Business Agent will not in any way interfere with
the work of employees or the operations of the Department. If, during a visit, the Business
Agent wishes to have a private conversation with an employee, the Chief, or his/her
designee, will allow the same consistent with his/her determination of operational needs.
If the Union Business Agent needs access prior to 5:00 p.m., he shall obtain permission
from the Chief, or his/her designee, which permission will not be denied unreasonably.
During any such visit, the Business Agent shall not interfere with the work or the
operations of the Department.
Section 4.5: Solicitation and Distribution.
Except as modified by this Agreement, the Union, its members, agents,
representatives and all persons acting on its behalf, including the Employer's employees
covered by this Agreement, are strictly prohibited by law and this Agreement from
soliciting any of the Employer's employees, for Union purposes, during the work time of
any employee involved, and from distributing Union literature in any work area at any time.
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It is understood and agreed that any employee who violates either of these prohibitions is
subject to discipline. ("Work time" is any time, exclusive of breaks or mealtime during the
hours of a shift.)
Section 4.6: Time-Off Without Loss of Pay.
With respect to disciplinary proceedings under the City Personnel Rules and
Regulations (hereinafter "PRR"), bargaining unit employees who participate in such
proceeding, including an employee representative of the employee, if any, shall be treated
the same as all other City employees with respect to time off and pay. With respect to
contract negotiations between the Union and the City Manager, the Union President shall
not lose any pay for the work hours spent participating in such contract negotiations.
Section 4.7: Bulletin Boards and E-mail.
The Employer agrees to set aside space for a bulletin board (not to exceed 30" by
24") to be provided by the Union for its use in informing its membership as to Union
business at each station. It is however, agreed and understood that materials to be
posted or transmitted to bargaining unit members via e-mail regarding Union business will
be submitted to the Chief for review beforehand, and that materials which are derogatory,
abrasive, abusive, or critical about any person, or City policy, practice, employees or
officials are intemperate in language and/or are not related to legitimate Union business,
or which are factually inaccurate, will not be approved and if posted without advance
approval of the Chief. The bulletin board may not be used for any political purpose or to
support or oppose any political candidate or issue; provided however, it may be used for
internal elections held by the Union among its membership.
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ARTICLE V: MANAGEMENT RIGHTS
Section 5.1: Functions of Management.
It is the function of management to determine and direct the policies, mode and
method of providing its services without any interference in the management and conduct
of the City's operations on the part of the Union or any of its representatives.
Section 5.2: Operations and Direction of Work Force.
The City shall continue to exercise the exclusive right to take any action it deems
necessary or appropriate in the management of its operations and the direction of its work
force. The City expressly reserves all rights, powers and authority customarily exercised
by management, and functions which the City has not expressly modified or delegated by
express provisions of this Agreement.
Section 5.3: Restrictions Under this Agreement.
The City reserves and retains fully and completely any and all management rights,
prerogatives and privileges except to the extent that such rights, prerogatives and
privileges are specifically limited by some express provision of this Agreement.
Section 5.4: Waiver.
The City's failure to exercise any function or right hereby reserved to it, or its
exercising any function or right in a particular way, shall not be deemed a waiver of this
right to exercise such function or right, nor preclude the City from exercising the same in
some other way not in conflict with the express provisions of this Agreement.
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Section 5.5: Emergencies.
If, in the sole discretion of the City Manager, it is determined that a civil emergency
condition exists, including but not limited to riots, civil disorders, hurricane conditions or
other catastrophes, the provisions of this Agreement may be suspended by the City
Manager during the time of the declared emergency, except for monetary provisions.
Section 5.6: Job Duties.
It is understood by the parties that every incidental duty connected with operations
enumerated in job descriptions is not always specifically described and employees, at the
discretion of management, may be required to perform other duties not specifically
contained in their job description.
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ARTICLE VI: GRIEVANCE, MEDIATION AND ARBITRATION
Section 6.1: Grievance.
A grievance is defined as a difference between the City and any bargaining unit
member or the Union involving an alleged violation or misapplication of a specific provision
of this Agreement. When an Article or Section in this contract references or incorporates
the City Personnel Rules and Regulations (PRR) a claimed violation, misapplication or
misinterpretation of the PRR shall be subject to this Article. However, unless this CBA
provides otherwise, the Union retains its right to negotiate over the impact of SOP's to the
extent that such actions impact wages, hours or terms and conditions of employment.
Section 6.2: Grievance Procedure.
Whenever a grievance as specified in Section 6.1 arises between the City and the
unit members or the Union, the matter will be handled in accordance with the following
procedure. The term "days" as used in this Article shall refer to calendar days.
Within five (5) days after the act or occurrence which gives rise to the
grievance, or the unit member knew or should have known of such act or
occurrence, whichever first occurs, the unit member may meet to discuss the
grievance with the unit member's immediate supervisor in an attempt to
resolve same.
Step 1: If the grievance is not settled in the informal procedure, noted
above, or if the grievant decides to proceed with a formal grievance, the
grievance must be reduced to writing and signed by the unit member, within
ten (10) days after the occurrence which gave rise to the grievance, or the
unit member knew or should have known of such act or occurrence, and
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presented to the unit member's Battalion Chief. The written grievance must
include:
a. A statement of grievance and a summary of the facts on which
the grievance is based.
b. The remedy requested.
A copy of the grievance form is hereby adopted and placed in the
appendices.
The Battalion Chief, will respond in writing within ten (10) days after receipt
of the grievance.
Step 2: If the grievance is not settled in Step 1, within five (5) days of receipt
of the Battalion Chief's response in Step 1, the grievant or Union may file the
grievance, with the Fire Chief. Within ten (10) days of delivery of the written
Step 2 grievance, the Fire Chief, or his designee, shall meet to discuss the
grievance with the grievant and/or Union representative. The Chief or his
designee shall respond in writing within ten (10) calendar days after the
meeting.
Step 3: If the grievance is not resolved in Step 2, the grievant may file the
grievance with the City Manager within ten (10) days after receipt of the Step
2 response. The City Manager shall hold a meeting with the grievant and
Union to discuss the grievance within ten (10) days after receipt of the
grievance. The City Manager shall respond, in writing, within ten (10) days
after the meeting
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6.2:1 Failure of the City to respond at any step shall allow the grievant to proceed to the
next step within the time limits just as if the City had denied the grievance in writing on the
last day an answer was due. The unit member grievant shall be entitled to be present at
any meeting held under Step 2 or Step 3.
6.2:2 When bringing a grievance in its name, the Union may file at either Step 2 or Step 3
depending on the circumstances surrounding the grievance.
6.2:3 When denying a grievance, in whole or in part, management's response shall
contain the specific reason(s) for denial. Generic denials such as," the grievance has no
merit" or "the grievance is denied," shall not be sufficient. All grievance responses
originating at Steps 2 and 3 shall be forwarded to the grievant and the Union.
6.2:4 All grievances for disciplinary matters involving unpaid suspension or termination
may be appealed through the grievance process.
Section 6.3: Arbitration.
If the grievance is not resolved through above steps, the grievance may be
submitted to binding arbitration by the Union. Arbitration proceedings must be initiated by
serving of a written request for arbitration by the Union within ten (10) days after the City
Manager's response. Submission to the arbitrator shall be based exclusively on the written
grievance as submitted in Steps 1, 2 and 3 of the grievance procedure.
The arbitrator selected shall decide the dispute by using the preponderance of
evidence standard and such decision shall be final and binding on the parties. The
expenses of the arbitrator shall be borne equally by the parties; and, each party shall be
responsible for its own attorneys' fees, any court reporting services it wishes to use, and
the wages of unit members, whether they be witnesses, potential witnesses,
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representatives, or grievant, it utilizes in any arbitration proceeding. However, it is agreed,
that should unit members be on duty during the procedure, the unit members shall suffer
no loss of pay or benefits.
The jurisdiction of the arbitrator is limited and confined to determining whether there
has been a violation of the express terms of this Agreement. The arbitrator shall in no way
alter, amend, or modify the terms of this Agreement. The time limits may be extended in
writing by mutual consent of the parties.
A. Within ten (10) calendar days from receipt of the notice of the intent to invoke
arbitration, the Union shall request a list of nine (9) arbitrators from the Federal Mediation
and Conciliation Service, all of whom must reside in the State of Florida. The Union shall
supply the City with a copy of the list of arbitrators. The Union and the City will alternately
eliminate one at a time from said list of names of persons until only one remains, and that
person will be the arbitrator. The City and the Union will alternate in the right to first strike
names in successive arbitrations.
B. As promptly as possible after the arbitrator has been selected, he should
conduct a hearing between the parties and consider the grievance. The decision of the
arbitrator will be served upon the unit member(s) aggrieved, the City and the Union in
writing. It shall be the obligation of the arbitrator to make his best effort to rule within
twenty-one (21) business days after the hearing.
Section 6.4: Grievances by Non-Union Member.
When the Union refuses to process a grievance for a unit member because of the
unit member's non-membership in the Union, the unit member shall have the right to
process a grievance under this Agreement, but cannot require arbitration of the grievance
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unless the law requires otherwise, in which event, the unit member shall have all the rights
and assume all the burdens, limitations and obligations, including financial obligations, of
the Union under this Article and any other Article that may apply to his grievance. The unit
member will not be entitled to any other grievance process.
Section 6.5: General.
A. Each grievance shall be arbitrated in a separate proceeding unless the
parties mutually agree otherwise.
B. The filing of a grievance shall in no way interfere with the right of the City to
proceed to carry out its management responsibilities, subject to the final resolution of the
grievance, except terminations.
Section 6.6: Time Off/Pay.
Step 1 of the grievance procedure shall be carried out during the unit member's
work hours at a time and place designated by the Chief based on operational needs, and
the unit member shall lose no pay. The City shall determine when Steps 2 and 3 shall be
processed, and if the Step or Steps, including Arbitration, are processed during their
scheduled working hours, neither the Union Representative nor the grievant shall lose pay.
Unit member witnesses, other than grievant, whom the City Manager may at his option
choose to interview shall lose no pay if interviewed during their working hours, and if
interviewed after or before such hours, shall be paid for such time as if they were
performing other work for the City. Otherwise, the City shall not be responsible to pay any
unit member representative, officer or agent of the Union for any time spent processing
grievance matters, but will allow one such person plus the grievant per grievance
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reasonable time off without pay for said activities upon reasonable prior notice if in
management's opinion work requirements will allow such absence.
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ARTICLE VII: PROMOTION
Section 7.1: Promotion Eligibility List and Promotion.
A. 1. This Article is promulgated to establish procedures to be followed in the
selection of departmental personnel for promotion to the ranks of Lieutenant and
Engineer. All Lieutenant examinations will be given in the month of June on even
numbered years and all Engineer exams will be given in the month of June on odd
numbered years. The lists for each position will be established until the next test is
completed in the month of June. If the list is exhausted new examinations will be
given earlier as determined by the Chief in order to facilitate operational needs.
Only employees whose last two (2) annual job performance evaluations were
"above operational" or better and whom the Chief determines meet the minimum
qualifications in the job description for the position will be eligible to take the test
and they must have combat experience as provided below:
Engineer — Three years with the Ocoee Fire Department, must be a relief Engineer
for one year, possession of a Driver/Operator certificate of completion from an
accredited institution, completion of Company Officer (40 hours) and Tactics and
Strategy I & II (80 hours) or an A.S. degree in Fire Science.
Lieutenant — Five years with the Ocoee Fire Department, completion of Fire Officer
I and/or an A.S. degree in Fire Science, and hold the rank of Engineer for one year.
2. The Chief will publish the minimum qualifications as set forth in the job
description and of the study references on the City bulletin board at each station not
less than ninety (90) days in advance of the examinations.
3. Employees who wish to be placed on the promotion list must notify the
Chief in writing not less than thirty (30) days of the first test given for the year for the
position.
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B. The Chief shall recommend the contents of the test and the minimum
passing score for each position to the City Manager, who shall consider the Chief's
recommendation and determine same. The Chief shall set the minimum standard for other
practical testing.
C. The promotional eligibility list will be comprised of the candidates who have
the minimum passing test score. One-half point for each year of continuous service as an
Ocoee Fire Department employee (1/2 X years) will be added to the candidate's passing
score to establish the final rank order eligibility list.
D. 1. Employees with more than one written warning that is discipline such as
(i.e. more than one written warning, suspension and/or demotion and/or rejection of
probation) within one year prior to the last date for applying for the tests shall not be
eligible to apply.
2. Employees who are on the eligibility list who received more than one
written warning or more severe discipline after they were placed on the eligibility list
shall not be considered for promotion until they have received no disciplinary action
for three hundred sixty-five (365) days, after the latest action.
E. If the vacancy is not filled from the existing list as provided above, the Chief
may fill the vacancy as he deems fit, provided he may not fill the position with a non-
employee or employee who does not take and pass the same test as given all eligible
employees who apply to take the test.
F. Any firefighter promoted to engineer after June 2015 will receive a 5% pay
increase, effective the date of promotion.
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Any employee that is promoted from engineer to lieutenant that is on the
current list before June 2016 shall receive a 10% pay increase, effective the date of the
promotion. Any engineer promoted to lieutenant after June 2016 will receive a 7% pay
increase.
G. Any employee expected to receive an adjustment over this three-year period,
and is promoted during that time, shall receive his/her entire adjustment amount and then
the promotional pay grade increase
Any COLA raise will have no bearing effect on promotional raises.
Section 7.2: Application of City PRR.
City Personnel Rules and Regulations shall not apply to Article VII.
Section 7.3: Union Representation.
All promotional exams will allow a union representative of the unions choice, that is
not involved in the promotional process, present during written test, practical test, scenario
based evaluation and accumulation of all test scores for a combined total score for each
promotional candidate. When a candidate is testing for position of lieutenant a lieutenant
will be present. When a candidate is testing for engineer an engineer will be present.
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ARTICLE VIII: VOTING
Employees, who are on duty on an election day, will be allowed to take time off
without loss of pay to vote on City Property or at other polling places within the City. The
time they take off to vote will be determined by the Chief. All other employees shall vote
on their own time — by absentee ballot or as otherwise permitted by law. If an employee
who is not scheduled to work on an election day whose voting precinct is not in the City of
Ocoee is called into work so that he/she cannot vote on his/her own time, the Chief shall
make operational arrangements for the employee to vote without loss of pay.
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ARTICLE IX: SPECIAL MEETINGS
The City (Two members of Fire Department management and one member of the
Human Resource Department) and the two Union officers shall meet and confer on
matters of interest upon the request of either party. Such special meetings shall be held on
a date and at a time and place mutually agreeable to the parties with a minimum of four a
year. Ten days prior to the meeting an agenda of all topics to be discussed shall be
furnished to all. The Union shall have the right, at these meetings, to recommend to the
Management, corrections of any inequities known to the Union; however, the City shall not
be obliged to take any action based on such recommendations. Meetings held under this
Section shall not be considered a substitution for the grievance procedure or the right to
collective bargaining under the Public Employees Relations Act.
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ARTICLE X: NON-BARGAINING UNIT EMPLOYEES
The City may use non-bargaining unit employees to perform non-emergency work
when the City determines it is operationally required so long as bargaining unit members
are utilized for emergency work when outside fire department personnel are requested for
manpower. The City reserves the right to hire up to three reserves to supplement
emergency and non-emergency operations so long as it does not replace any position
necessary to maintain minimum staffing levels and the reservist meet and maintain the
same qualifications as bargaining members.
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ARTICLE XI: INSURANCE AND PENSION
Section 11.1: Insurance.
During the term of this Agreement, the City shall provide the same health, medical,
dental insurance, and short/long term disability under the same terms and conditions for
bargaining unit employees and their dependants that it provides for the City's non-
bargaining unit, non-exempt employees and their dependents. During the term of this
agreement should the City decide to change premiums, co-pays, co-insurance and/or
provide incentive programs, the bargaining unit employees will be required to participate
as all other non-bargaining unit employees. Bargaining Unit Members that fail to show up
for a scheduled appointment at the health center shall pay a scheduled $25.00 charge.
Section 11.2: Pension.
All bargaining unit positions and employees in those positions, covered by this
Agreement, shall be covered by the FS Chapter 175 Plan as established by the City of
Ocoee provided, they meet the eligibility requirements of same.
The City and the Union mutually agree that employees hired after September 30,
2015 shall be subject to the following changes:
A. To CAP the percentage of pension multiplier to 3.25%
B. To CAP the percentage of pension entitlement to 81.25%
C. Will be required to have a minimum of seven (7) years of service with the
city in order to be vested.
The City agrees to contribute no less than 12% of the fire unit member's payroll to
the Pension Fund during the term of this agreement. The bargaining unit members'
pension contribution shall be 8% of pensionable earnings.
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Accrued paid time off at separation will not count toward final average
compensation for pension benefits, effective October 1, 2012.
For purposes of Pension calculation, the employee shall receive monetary credit as
part of their final average compensation for up to 300 hours of overtime as per State
Statute.
Members who enter the Deferred Retirement Option Plan (D.R.O.P) after October
1, 2012 may elect to either have their account credited with interest at the rate of 2% per
annum or credited or debited with an investment return or loss approximately equal to the
other assets in the Fund. One change is election is permitted.
The parties mutually agree that the total amount of accumulated excess Chapter
175 premium tax monies held in reserve on the effective date of this Agreement shall be
applied to reduce the unfunded actuarial accrued liability of the Chapter 175 Plan.
The Parties further mutually agree that future excess Chapter 175 premium tax
monies shall be used to reduce the unfunded actuarial accrued liability of the Chapter 175
Plan as long as such liability exists, and thereafter shall be applied to reduce the City's
annual required contribution to the Chapter 175 Plan.
Section 11.3: Pension Multiplier.
The City and the Union agree that the pension multiplier will remain at 3.5% for
employees hired before September 30, 2015.
Section 11.4: VEBA— Other Post-Employment Benefits.
The parties agree to participate in a Voluntary Employee Benefits Association —
VEBA.
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The City will enter into an arrangement with a company to create the VEBA and the
City will be the plan sponsor.
Union members will contribute .5% of any annual pay increase starting October 1,
2012 to a VEBA account that will be managed by the City. The employees will have the
opportunity annually in the month of September to sell back 20% of their paid time off
accrual for cash; however, 5% of the 20% will be placed in the VEBA account. The
remaining 15% will be paid to the employee. The employee must have a minimum of 60
hours to participate in this program. Any bargaining unit employee who terminates,
resigns, retires or otherwise leaves employment with the City, must contribute 25% of the
accrued time off, to the employees VEBA account. In addition, 12 hours of paid time will
be contributed to the employees VEBA account the first payroll after October 1 of each
year of this Agreement instead of increasing the Floating Holiday time. This will be
accomplished by (a) contributing 36 hours of paid time to the VEBA accounts of
employees who were employed in a bargaining unit position prior to October 1, 2017 and
who are continuously employed in a bargaining unit position through the date of ratification
of this Agreement by both parties; (b) contributing 24 hours of paid time to the VEBA
accounts of employees who were first employed in a bargaining unit position between
October 1, 2017 and September 30, 2018, and who are continuously employed in a
bargaining unit position through the date of ratification of this Agreement by both parties;
and (c) contributing 12 hours of paid time to the VEBA accounts of employees who were
first employed in a bargaining unit position between October 1, 2018 and September 30,
2019, and who are continuously employed in a bargaining unit position through the date of
ratification of this Agreement by both parties.
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ARTICLE XII: STRIKES
The Union and bargaining unit members shall not promote, sponsor, engage in, or
condone any work stoppage, boycott, slow-down, strike, disruption of City operations,
picketing or other withholding of limitation of services for any reasons and shall abide with
F.S. §447.505.
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ARTICLE XIII: TIME TRADES
Section 13.1: Application.
Time Trades shall be submitted sixty (60) hours prior to the beginning of the time
trade sought and must be approved in advance by the Chief, or his/her designee.
Section 13.2: Payback.
Employees have up to (1) year from the date of the initial time trade date to
payback a time trade. Failure to pay back a time trade after this year has passed will
result in the forfeiture of his obligation. Employees will only be able to accrual a maximum
of ten (10) time trades.
Section 13.3: Authorization.
The appropriate form must be completed and signed by each employee and their
respective supervisor before the time trade will be approved. The privilege of trading time
may be revoked at any time for abuse of the privilege.
Section 13.4: Emergencies.
The only exception to the Section 13.1: Application will be in the case of an
emergency.
Section 13.5: Qualifications.
Employees must shift swap with employees qualified to work in that classification.
If staffing allows for the day, EMTs shall be permitted to shift swap with paramedics if this
does not create an overtime need at the time the shift swap request is submitted.
If the employee that was scheduled to swap is moved to a ride up position, that
employee shall receive ride up pay.
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Section 13.6: Definition.
A time trade is defined as (1) one event or trade, no matter how many hours are
involved up to (24) hours. Any time trade up to (24) hours will count as (1) one time trade
in regards to the maximum of (10) time trades allowed for accrual. No permanent time
trades allowed.
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ARTICLE XIV: HOLIDAYS
Section 14.1: Days Observed.
A. The observed holidays are:
January 1 New Year's Day
January— Third Monday Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
May — Last Monday Memorial Day
July 4 Independence Day
September— First Monday Labor Day
November— Fourth Thursday Thanksgiving Day
November— Fourth Friday Day after Thanksgiving
December - 24 Christmas Eve
December 25 Christmas Day
Section 14.2: Eligibility for Holiday Pay.
A. An employee must be on an approved paid leave or work the normal schedule
of hours, on the regularly scheduled working day immediately prior to and immediately
following a holiday, in order to qualify for the holiday time or pay.
B. Holiday Pay.
Full-time non-exempt employees, on a 24/48 schedule in the Fire
Department shall be twelve (12) hours at their straight time hourly rate or 12 hours of
comp time.
C. When a non-exempt employee on a 24/48 hour schedule within the Fire
Department works on a scheduled holiday, the employee shall receive holiday pay, if
he/she meets the eligibility requirements, plus time and one half (1 1/2) his/her straight time
rate or 18 hours of comp time.
D. When an employee is scheduled to work on a holiday but fails to do so, other
than pre-arranged PTO, the employee will not receive the 12 hours of holiday pay.
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ARTICLE XV: PAID TIME OFF
Section 15.1: Eligibility.
A. Only full-time employees and full-time probationary employees will be
allowed to accrue paid time off (PTO).
B. Full-time probationary employees shall accrue paid time off during their
initial probationary period but shall not be permitted to take same during the initial six (6)
months of employment unless approved by the Fire Chief. Paid time off not taken by a
full-time employee who does not successfully complete the first six (6) months of the
initial probationary period, including resigning, shall not be paid any accrued hours upon
termination of employment.
C. Any employee within the initial one-year probationary period of time that
calls off work and cannot show an emergency reason for calling off may be subject to a
written warning for failure to report to work as scheduled.
Section 15.2: Accrual of Leave.
Each employee shall receive an additional 24 hours of paid time off added to their
accruals after October 1st each year of this Agreement and only after the employee has
worked for the City for one year. This will be accomplished by (a) employees who were
employed in a bargaining unit position prior to October 1, 2016 and who are continuously
employed in a bargaining unit position through the date of ratification of this Agreement by
both parties shall receive an additional 72 hours of paid time off added to their accruals;
(b) employees who were first employed in a bargaining unit position between October 1,
2016 and September 30, 2017, and who are continuously employed in a bargaining unit
position through the date of ratification of this Agreement by both parties shall receive an
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additional 48 hours of paid time off added to their accruals; and (c) employees who were
first employed in a bargaining unit position between October 1, 2017 and September 30,
2018, and who are continuously employed in a bargaining unit position through the date of
ratification of this Agreement by both parties shall receive 24 hours of paid time off added
to their accruals.
A. Full-time employees earn Paid Time Off (P.T.O.) as follows:
One through five years of service -
10.62 hours bi-weekly
(276.16 hours per year)
Six through ten years of service -
13.39 hours bi-weekly
(348.18 hours per year)
Eleven years +
15.23 hours bi-weekly
(396.00 hours per year)
B. A full-time employee can only accrue up to 580 hours of paid time off.
Section 15.3: PRR.
The other rules and conditions with respect to paid time off are as set forth in the
PRR. However, any employee requesting time off shall request no less than 8 hours or 4
hours comp time minimum, except for approved educational purposes.
Section 15.4: PTO per Shift.
Three (3) rank and file employees will be allowed off. Only Light duty absences
(which occur for only work-related injuries), and permanent vacancies will not count toward
the shift PTO for rank and file employees. Light duty absences required by a healthcare
provider for pregnancy will count toward the shift vacancies.
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ARTICLE XVI: USE OF PERSONAL VEHICLES
When employees are required-by management to use their own vehicles for City
business, transferring to a station other than the one to which the one they were assigned
to report they shall be entitled to be paid mileage under the same terms and conditions as
other City employees, as provided in Section 10 of the PRR.
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ARTICLE XVII: HOURS OF WORK AND WORK SCHEDULE
Section 17.1: Basic Work Schedule.
A. The basic work schedule shall be twenty-four (24) hour shifts on and forty-
eight (48) hours off with a starting time of 7:00 a.m. and the regular work period shall be
one hundred fifty-nine (159) hours in a twenty-one (21) day period for employees on a
Section 7(k) schedule. The City agrees not to change the starting or ending time for the
regular work schedule, except, in the case of a temporary emergency, without notice to the
Union and upon a request from the Union made within ten (10) calendar days after notice
of the schedule change, the parties shall meet and negotiate the impact of same. Absent
mutual agreement, any dispute arising under this Section will be resolved under the Fl. St.
447, impasse resolution process.
B. Lunch Periods are scheduled at the discretion of the Chief, or the Chief
designee.
Section 17.2: Overtime.
A. Non-exempt employees are to report all hours worked. Non-exempt
employees should not begin work before the beginning of their schedule or after the end of
their schedule without permission; however, if they do perform work before or beyond their
schedule, they are to report it as hours worked on their time sheet or record. Overtime will
be authorized or directed only when it is in the interest of the City and is the most
practicable and economical way of meeting workloads or deadlines.
B. All non-exempt hourly employees, except employees on a Section 7(k)
schedule in the Fire Department, shall be paid time and one-half their regular hourly rate
of pay for all hours in excess of forty (40) in a work week.
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C. Non-exempt employees in the Fire Department on a Section 7(k) schedule
will receive overtime pay in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act for all hours
worked in excess of one hundred fifty-nine (159) hours in a twenty-one (21) day work
cycle. Effective the first pay cycle of July 2002, hours of work between one hundred fifty-
nine (159) and one hundred sixty-eight (168) in a work cycle shall be paid at additional
half-time, while hours worked over one hundred sixty-eight (168) in a pay cycle shall be
paid at time and one-half on the same basis as in the past. The member has an option to
receive the half-time as pay or convert to comp time which would also include paramedic
incentive. Pay is currently computed at 9 hours times half the member's rate of pay.
Compensatory time will be converted at 9 hours times one-half or 4.5 hours of time added
the member's compensatory bank. In addition, if the member is a paramedic, the incentive
rate of pay will be converted to one hour of comp time for every 9 hours of half time.
D. For the purposes of overtime computation, PTO not approved in advance of
60 hours, jury duty, annual military leave and other absences from duty, whether paid or
not, shall not be considered as time worked, provided, however, paid holidays and paid
personal leave used for a scheduled vacation shall be considered for employees on a
Section 7(k) schedule as up to twenty-four (24) hours worked.
E. Employees shall be required to work overtime when assigned unless
excused by supervision. An employee desiring to be excused from overtime work
assignments for good and sufficient reasons shall submit a request to the immediate
supervisor, in accordance with the overtime SOP.
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Section 17.3: Assignment of Overtime.
When the Battalion Chief or his/her designee determines there is a need to
schedule personnel for scheduled overtime, the following procedure will apply.
Basically, a classification for classification replacement will be utilized, unless
otherwise directed by management. All combat personnel will be placed in one of the
three following categories according to their current rank and/or EMS licensure:
Lieutenant, Engineer, and Firefighter.
Example 1: If three (3) personnel are on PTO and FF calls in sick, the Battalion
Chief will reference the FF overtime list to hire his/her replacement. This process will
repeat itself accordingly for all three (3) lists.
Example 2: If an individual is scheduled to ride out of grade and calls in sick,
generating overtime, the Battalion Chief will hire overtime off either list that the individual
was scheduled to ride up in.
Example 3: If three (3) personnel are on PTO and a FF is on light duty or a
vacancy, the Battalion Chief will reference the FF overtime list to hire his/her replacement.
This process will repeat itself accordingly for all three (3) lists.
The current overtime lists will be maintained by the Battalion Chief in their office.
These lists will cycle through all personnel, year to year, and continue reverting back.
Personnel contacted for the scheduled overtime assignment will have the
opportunity to either accept or refuse the assignment. If the assignment is accepted and
that person works eight (8) or more hours that person will be placed on the bottom of the
list. When a scheduled overtime phone call results in a voicemail, answering machine or a
"no answer", said individual will be placed at the bottom of the list.
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When hiring overtime for the next shift, the Battalion Chief will make one attempt at
contacting the emergency callout number. That will constitute a contact and that person
will be placed on the bottom of the list. When hiring overtime that is more than one shift
away, the Battalion Chief will wait five minutes and then move on to the next person and
follow the above procedure.
If after following the procedure outline above, no employee that management
considers qualified accepts the overtime, the Battalion Chief will assign overtime as he/she
deems appropriate.
If no employee accepts overtime, the least senior employee in the needed
classification on the off-going or on-going shift will be held to work overtime.
When overtime is forced, based on classification, the forced overtime will be rotated
through all members in that classification on that particular shift, to ensure the same
member is not continually forced to work the overtime assignment. However, overtime
cannot be mandatory if the employee is on list as unavailable at time of overtime.
A fire inspector and/or training Lieutenant may be used for the assignment of
overtime as agreed upon in the SOP. The procedure, hours and qualifications will be
incorporated in this SOP.
Section 17.4: Compensatory Time Off.
For overtime assignments worked that are not "shift assignments", the City and the
Union agree the bargaining unit members shall have the option to defer the payment of
overtime by selecting compensatory time off in lieu of payment for the time worked.
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The maximum number of compensatory time-off hours accumulated may not exceed
120 total hours. The employee may request compensatory time off in accordance with the
other time off provisions within this Agreement.
All hours accumulated and not used by the employee by September 30 of each year, shall
be contributed to that employees VEBA account.
The City can offer comp time for any overtime assignment offered that is not a shift
assignment unless it is mandatory for the assignment, then the bargaining unit member
has the option to receive the overtime.
When a unit member who is a paramedic elects to be paid for compensatory time
their rate of pay shall include the paramedic incentive.
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ARTICLE XVIII: LIGHT DUTY
Section 18.1: Compensation.
A. Light Duty shall be provided, only for work related injuries and if the City assigns
an employee light duty in a position not on a 24/48 schedule, the employee will be
paid one and four tenths (1.4) times the employee's regular hourly rate but only
for hours actually worked; provided, as if they were still on a 24/48 schedule
however, unless otherwise required by law, the total earned or received from all
sources, including STD, LTD, paid time off leave and worker's compensation, will
not be more than the employee's regular pay for the normal 56 hour workweek,
and to the extent necessary to effectuate said limitation, the benefits referred to
above shall be reduced. Light Duty, if assigned, will begin as and when
determined by the Chief.
B. Light duty absences required by a healthcare provider for pregnancy will count
toward the shift vacancies.
Section 18.2: Determination
Light duty shall be performed within the Ocoee Fire Department if the Chief
determines it is available. If the Chief determines it is not available, light duty shall be
performed wherever assigned by the City. Light duty shall neither be automatically
provided within the stations nor as a 24-hour shift and shall be at the sole discretion of the
Chief.
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ARTICLE XIX: WAGES
Section 19.1: Pay Increases.
Pay increases for Fiscal Years 2017-18, 2018-19, and 2019-20, effective upon
ratification of this Agreement by both parties, shall be as follows:
1. Bargaining unit employees hired prior to October 1, 2017 will receive a 9%
increase to their base pay, or an increase to the new range minimum, whichever is
greater.
2. Bargaining unit employees hired between October 1, 2017 and September
30, 2018 will receive a 6% increase to their base pay, or an increase to the new range
minimum, whichever is greater.
3. Bargaining unit employees hired between October 1, 2018 and September
30, 2019 will receive a 3% increase to their base pay, or an increase to the new range
minimum, whichever is greater.
4. Bargaining unit employees hired on or after October 1, 2019 will receive an
increase to the new range minimum.
5. Employee ID numbers 147, 298 and 380 shall have their pay increases paid
in a lump sum not added to base pay. Employee ID number 432 shall have the pay
increases in excess of$657.74 paid in a lump sum not added to base pay.
6. To be eligible for these pay increases, the employee must be employed with
the City in a bargaining unit position as of the date of ratification of this Agreement by both
parties.
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Section 19.2: Paramedic Incentive Pay.
Personnel that possess and maintain a Certified Orange County Paramedic
certification shall receive an hourly rate increase ($2.75 per hour) equal to $8,000.00. This
incentive will begin after probation and Orange County Protocol tested and passed.
No other wage increases shall be provided through the term of this agreement.
Section 19.3: Other Incentive Pay
A. The City agrees to pay employees $500.00 per year that are fluent in the Spanish
language.
B. The City agrees to pay up to 6 employees for EMS Preceptor/FTO, $1000.00
per year (max of 2 per shift) with one being a paramedic. The Fire Department shall post
the requirements for preceptors/FTO.
Section 19.4: Starting Pay
Effective upon ratification of this Agreement by both parties, the following minimum rate
will apply:
1. The wage minimum for Firefighters shall be $40,000.22.
2. The wage minimum for Engineer shall be $43,000.10.
3. The wage minimum for Lieutenant shall be $52,000.26.
4. The wage minimum for Fire Inspectors shall be $43,000.05
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ARTICLE XX: UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT
Section 20.1: Uniforms.
Uniform classes are described in SOP's.
Class A to be worn on official duties (i.e. Funerals)
Class B (short sleeve dress shirt and pants) to be worn for day to day operations
including all PR events, company inspections and station tours
Class C may be worn during reduced activity period
Class D to be worn after 8pm
Section 20.2: Initial Issue.
A. New firefighters will be issued the following clothing:
2 Blue Dress shirt, short sleeve
1 Blue Dress shirt, long sleeve
1 Tie
4 Pant— plain blue, Class A/B
2 Pants —BDU
6 T-Shirts
2 Gym shorts
1 Sweat pants
2 Sweat shirts
1 Pair Uniform shoes/boots
1 Badge
1 Sets collar brass
1 Name tags
1 Time of Service tags
1 Raincoat
1 Winter coat
1 Baseball Cap
1 Belt
1 Complete set of approved Bunker Gear
B. Fire inspectors while conducting required building and property inspections, 40
hours per week day shift, with the approval of the fire chief, may be allowed to
wear appropriate fire department golf shirts. During PR events, station tours
and any business meetings conducted at City Hall or any other professional
setting, appropriate Class B attire must be worn or as required by the Chief.
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Section 20.3: Replacement.
All employees who have at least one (1) year of continuous service shall be
credited with a one-time clothing/shoe allowance by October 31st of each year to be used
for uniform replacement of Class A-D in the following amount:
Shift bargaining unit employees -- $450.00
Amounts credited that are not used by September 1st of the year or upon the
cessation of employment shall revert back to the City.
All uniform items required upon promotion will be issued at no cost to the employee.
FF to Engineer:
1 Badge
Engineer to Lieutenant:
1 Badge
1 Set Collar Brass
1 Name Tag
2 White Dress shirts, short sleeve
1 White Dress shirt, long sleeve
6 T-shirts
Section 20.4: Maintenance.
Employees shall be responsible for repair and maintenance of the uniform and all
items issued to them for their use by the City, and shall come to work in clean, neat and
undamaged clothes, including undamaged uniforms and other clothes.
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Section 20.5: Changes.
Any changes shall be paid using the clothing/shoe allowance unless changes are
made by management. If made by management, then items will be exchanged item for
item.
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ARTICLE XXI: PROBATIONARY PERIOD
Section 21.1: Initial Probationary Period.
The initial probationary period for new employees, accumulation of benefits,
continuous service credit, participation in benefits, disciplinary actions and continued
employment for bargaining unit employees shall be the same as for all other non-exempt
non-bargaining City employees, unless otherwise specifically provided in this Article.
Section 21.2: Promotional Probation.
Employees promoted to a higher rank shall serve a six (6) month probationary
period. During this six (6) month period the employee will not be allowed to work a higher
classification.
Section 21.3: Grievances.
Unless specifically provided in this Agreement, employees who have not
successfully completed their initial probationary period under Section 21.1 shall not have
access to Article VI.
Section 21.4: Transfers and Waiving Probation.
To be considered for a transfer into or the employment in the position of Firefighter,
including engineer and lieutenant positions, from within or from outside the OFD the
following shall be required:
A. An application must be filed during the period of the annual advertisement.
B. The applicant must be determined by the Chief to meet all of the minimum
qualifications established by the Department and City.
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C. If determined to meet all the minimum qualifications, the applicant must pass
all written, practical and other tests established by the Department with the passing grade
established by the Chief.
D. If an employee, the applicant's last job performance evaluation must have
been "above operational" or better and none of the applicant's last three (3) job
performance evaluations were below "operational."
E. If an employee, not have had a written warning or more severe discipline in
the last twelve (12) months prior to applying.
F. Persons hired or employees transferred into the Fire Department shall be
required to successfully complete the Departmental probationary period during which time
they shall serve at the will and pleasure of the Chief as employees of the City as well as in
their position in the Fire Department.
Any City employee transferring to a position covered by this bargaining unit within
the Ocoee Fire Department from any other division/department shall start at the entry rate
of pay, according to the prevailing pay plan.
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ARTICLE XXII: REDUCED ACTIVITY PERIOD
Section 22.1: Hours.
Subject to operational needs, there shall be a period of reduced activity on each
shift which should normally run from 1700 to 0630.
Section 22.2: Activity.
During the reduced activity period, on-duty employees shall be in Class A, B or C
uniform and be ready to respond immediately to calls in the uniform determined by SOP or
the shift commander. After 1700, the on-duty crew shall complete the station duties for the
day not yet completed before the reduced activity period, as well as other duties which the
Chief, or his/her designee, determines are necessary to be completed before the end of
the shift.
Section 22.3: Good Health Activities.
Unless assigned to other duties, each employee shall engage in a minimum of one
(1) hour each shift in walking, running, jogging or other approved activities. Such activities
shall be conducted at the station or at a location designated by the Chief or his/her
designee, so the employee will be immediately available for duty during such activity.
Concentration should be placed on warm-up exercises, to include stretching and flexing to
prevent injuries. Exercise should also include aerobic strength training programs.
Competitive and contact sports are not an approved form of exercise and are not
permitted in the Department.
Section 22.4: Emergencies.
Hurricanes, riots, floods or emergencies that demand extended tours of duty or
recall duty will permit use of beds at the discretion of the Battalion Chief.
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Section 22.5: Contact Sports.
There shall be no contact sports while on duty at anytime, including but not limited
to basketball, football or soccer unless specifically approved by the Chief or his/her
designee.
Section 22.6: Adverse Weather Protocol.
The City and the Union agree to follow the general protocols promulgated by
Orange County Fire Rescue regarding adverse weather issues.
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ARTICLE XXIII: CONTINUOUS EMPLOYMENT
Section 23.1: Vacation Picks.
When one (1) or more bargaining unit employees seeks to use paid time off leave
for vacation under the City PRR, the employee with the most time in each position will be
given preference unless the Chief, or his designee, determines such a preference in a
particular instance will interfere with Departmental operations.
Vacations (initial picks) shall be picked according to rank in seniority, no more than
five (5) consecutive shifts and not more than ten (10) shifts in a calendar year. Three (3)
rank and file employees are allowed off at initial vacation picks.
Lieutenant 1st pick
Engineer 2nd pick
Firefighter 3rd pick
Section 23.2: Floaters.
The Battalion Chief on duty will make the determination to float the necessary
personnel to the station that requires the manpower, in order to meet operational needs. A
unit member, not on probation, will be assigned to float. If a bargaining unit member is on
the promotion list, that they are given the option to ride up.
Section 23.3: Layoff and Recall.
Layoff and recall shall be in accordance with the City PRR.
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ARTICLE XXIV: PERSONAL PROPERTY REPLACEMENT
The City agrees to reimburse employees the cost of replacing or repairing
wristwatches and prescription eyeglasses, but not contact lenses, destroyed or damaged
in the line of duty unless caused by the negligence of the employee subject to the
following conditions:
1. The maximum reimbursement for prescription eyeglasses shall be $150.00
and for wristwatches shall be $50.00.
2. The employee must make the claim during the shift on which the destruction
or damage occurred, and turn in the destroyed or damaged item.
At its option, the City may elect to replace the item rather than reimburse the
employee for same.
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ARTICLE XXV: SAFETY, HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS
Section 25.1: General.
As part of its commitment to the safety, health and physical fitness of its employees,
to provide a safe place for its employees to work, and to promote physical fitness for its
employees, the City and the Union will cooperate in the continuing objective of eliminating
accidents and health hazards. The City and the Union will cooperate in the enforcement of
safety rules and regulations and shall promote sound safety practices for the protection of
employees. The City further agrees to promote physical fitness by providing time,
equipment and educational material, as it deems appropriate.
All new employees must be tobacco free for at least one year before initial
employment. All new employees hired after October 1, 2005 must remain continually
tobacco free in order to maintain continued employment with the City of Ocoee Fire
Department.
Section 25.2: Equipment.
All protective devices, bunker gear and other equipment required to be worn or
used by the City, shall be provided by the City. Such protective devices, bunker gear and
equipment when provided, must be used. The Union agrees that neglect or failure by an
employee to obey safety regulations or to use or maintain the safety equipment furnished
by the City shall be basis for disciplinary action up to and including termination.
The fire station, all equipment and apparatus shall be maintained by employees in a
manner that will promote the elimination of accidents and make the workplace safer and
less likely to cause injuries. All employees are to report any and all unsafe conditions to
the Fire Chief whenever found, immediately.
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The Union may consult with the City's safety representative and make
recommendations in safety matters.
Section 25.3: Medical Examinations.
A. Medical examinations will be required for all employees every year and will
be conducted by physicians selected by the City. The time necessary for the physical
shall be scheduled on-duty and will be considered as time worked. The City shall pay for
all medical and psychological exams (if necessary for fitness for duty issues). All
physicals will be performed at the City of Ocoee Employee Health Center or a facility
chosen by the City if the Health Center is not available. All medical examinations will
include a test to determine the presence of illegal controlled substances. Employees hired
after October 2005 will be tested for nicotine.
B. Any medical or psychological exam that results in the employee being
considered as unfit for duty, shall require the employee to use paid time off until a
subsequent exam finds the employee fit for duty. Should the employee provide qualified
medical information to return to duty before the City believes the employee may return,
and a final determination is made that the employee could have returned sooner, then the
City shall return that portion of the paid time off used after the documentation was
provided.
C. Present incentives will cease and future incentives will be based on City wide
plans and subject to Health care plan for all other non-bargaining unit employees.
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D. Physicals will include the following as determined by the Health Center
medical staff:
Vital signs including height, weight, blood pressure, temperature, pulse, PPD (TB
test) and chest x-ray if indicated by the physician;
Lab tests including Comprehensive Metabolic Panel, Lipid Panel, Uric Acid,
Phosphorous-Serum HIV and ALT-SGPT shall be performed yearly;
Audiometry;
Vision Screening;
Urine dip;
Respirator exam;
Resting (baseline) 12 lead EKG;
Stress EKG (upon advice of the City-appointed Doctor);
Hepatitis A & B shots, if necessary.
Refusal or failure to take a medical or psychological examination required by the
City will result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.
Section 25.4: Cooperation.
When an employee has a health-related problem that affects or may affect his or
her ability to perform the essential functions of his or her job, the employee shall so advise
the Chief for evaluation. An employee who has had medical treatment prescribed in order
to resolve an actual or potential medical problem that affects or may affect the employee's
ability to perform his/her job who fails or refuses to follow the medical treatment prescribed
shall be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination.
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ARTICLE XXVI: WORKING OUT OF CLASSIFICATION
Bargaining unit employees who work out of classification, in a higher classification,
shall be paid a flat rate for the entire 24-hour shift, as long as they work at least 3 hours of
continuous work in the higher classification. Compensation for working out of classification
will be as follows:
Firefighter working as an Engineer: $25.00 per shift
Engineer working as a Lieutenant: $50.00 per shift
Lieutenant working as a Battalion Chief: $100.00 per shift
Or can choose to receive
Firefighter working as an Engineer: 3 hours comp time per shift
Engineer working as a Lieutenant: 4 hours comp time per shift
Lieutenant working as a Battalion Chief: 7 hours comp time per shift
The City and Union agree a list of lieutenants who wish to work out of class as a
battalion chief, shall be used on a rotating basis, when the department determines
the need to fill the position.
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ARTICLE XXVII: EDUCATION
The Education Incentive Program shall be a reimbursement plan and any courses
and programs will be approved solely by the Chief and in accordance with the guidelines
and any changes deemed necessary by the Education Committee.
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ARTICLE XXVIII: DURATION
This contract shall remain in full force and effect through midnight September 30,
2020 and shall automatically renew itself for periods of one (1) year unless either party
delivers to the other written notice of its intent to terminate or modify this contract not less
than ninety (90) calendar days before September 30, 2020.
International Association of Fire City Manager
Fighters, Local 3623
By: Date:
Date:
Name Fire Chief
Date: Date:
Name Human Resources Director
Date: Date:
Name Mayor
Date: Date:
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RATIFICATION
This collective bargaining agreement was ratified by the parties on the dates set
forth below:
Date Ratified: Date Approved:
International Association of Fire City Clerk, City of Ocoee
Fighters, Local 3623
By: By:
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11111/4.17
o c o e e CITY OF OCOEE FIRE DEPARTMENT
GRIEVANCE FORM
Date:
Name of Grievant:
Date of alleged event:
Specific Article(s) and paragraphs allegedly violated:
Statement of facts pertaining to or giving rise to alleged grievance:
Specific relief requested:
Signature of Union President Signature of Grievant:
IAFF-Local 3623
City of Ocoee Fire Department 563 S. Bluford Ave Ocoee, FL 34761(407)905-3140
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