Podcast
Questions and Answers
What condition must be met for an employee to settle a grievance independently?
What condition must be met for an employee to settle a grievance independently?
What does the grievance procedure exclude?
What does the grievance procedure exclude?
Under what circumstances can the grievance procedure be bypassed?
Under what circumstances can the grievance procedure be bypassed?
What action is prohibited during the term of the Agreement?
What action is prohibited during the term of the Agreement?
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What is the only matter that can be grieved under the penalties section?
What is the only matter that can be grieved under the penalties section?
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Which of the following actions is not allowed by the Union or its representatives during the Agreement's term?
Which of the following actions is not allowed by the Union or its representatives during the Agreement's term?
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What may the City and the Union mutually agree upon regarding grievances?
What may the City and the Union mutually agree upon regarding grievances?
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What does judicial restraint protect against?
What does judicial restraint protect against?
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How is seniority defined for firefighters who were previously employed as civilian paramedics?
How is seniority defined for firefighters who were previously employed as civilian paramedics?
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What happens to seniority when an employee is in a non-paid status for thirty consecutive days?
What happens to seniority when an employee is in a non-paid status for thirty consecutive days?
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In case of a seniority conflict between two employees with the same accrued seniority, what is the first basis for resolution?
In case of a seniority conflict between two employees with the same accrued seniority, what is the first basis for resolution?
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What duration is established for the probationary period for new employees?
What duration is established for the probationary period for new employees?
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Which of these statements correctly reflects the definition of seniority in rank?
Which of these statements correctly reflects the definition of seniority in rank?
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What is true about the termination of probationary employees?
What is true about the termination of probationary employees?
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If two employees have the same seniority based on hire date, what factor will next determine their ranking?
If two employees have the same seniority based on hire date, what factor will next determine their ranking?
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What is the maximum duration for a suspension of a probationary employee by the City?
What is the maximum duration for a suspension of a probationary employee by the City?
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What is the maximum duration an employee can maintain their medical insurance after a layoff?
What is the maximum duration an employee can maintain their medical insurance after a layoff?
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Which document must be submitted to initiate the grievance process?
Which document must be submitted to initiate the grievance process?
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How long does the Deputy Chief have to respond to the grievance after a meeting?
How long does the Deputy Chief have to respond to the grievance after a meeting?
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What is required for an employee to maintain insurance after layoff?
What is required for an employee to maintain insurance after layoff?
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If an employee wishes to appeal a grievance after Step 1, to whom should it be submitted?
If an employee wishes to appeal a grievance after Step 1, to whom should it be submitted?
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What must an employee include in their grievance submission?
What must an employee include in their grievance submission?
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What is considered a 'grievance' according to the agreement?
What is considered a 'grievance' according to the agreement?
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If no meeting is held at Step 1, when must the Deputy Chief respond to the grievance?
If no meeting is held at Step 1, when must the Deputy Chief respond to the grievance?
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What is the time frame for submitting a grievance after becoming aware of the issue?
What is the time frame for submitting a grievance after becoming aware of the issue?
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Who can accompany an employee during a grievance meeting?
Who can accompany an employee during a grievance meeting?
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What happens if a grievance remains unresolved after Step 3?
What happens if a grievance remains unresolved after Step 3?
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How long does a grievant have to appeal to the City Manager after receiving the Step 2 response?
How long does a grievant have to appeal to the City Manager after receiving the Step 2 response?
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What is not a requirement for a grievance to be processed?
What is not a requirement for a grievance to be processed?
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What is the timeline for the Fire Chief to respond after receiving a grievance at Step 2?
What is the timeline for the Fire Chief to respond after receiving a grievance at Step 2?
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What is the time frame within which the parties must agree on an arbitrator after the notice of referral?
What is the time frame within which the parties must agree on an arbitrator after the notice of referral?
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If the parties cannot agree on an arbitrator, what is the next step they must take?
If the parties cannot agree on an arbitrator, what is the next step they must take?
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How many arbitrators can each party reject from the panel provided by the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service?
How many arbitrators can each party reject from the panel provided by the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service?
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What will happen if a grievance is not presented within the specified time limits?
What will happen if a grievance is not presented within the specified time limits?
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What is the maximum time after the close of the hearing for the arbitrator to submit a decision in writing?
What is the maximum time after the close of the hearing for the arbitrator to submit a decision in writing?
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Which of the following is NOT within the authority of the arbitrator?
Which of the following is NOT within the authority of the arbitrator?
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What recourse does a party have if the City does not respond to a grievance within specified time limits?
What recourse does a party have if the City does not respond to a grievance within specified time limits?
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What is required for multiple grievances to be submitted to the same arbitrator?
What is required for multiple grievances to be submitted to the same arbitrator?
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Who can represent employees during grievance meetings?
Who can represent employees during grievance meetings?
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What shall the fees and expenses of the arbitrator be divided as?
What shall the fees and expenses of the arbitrator be divided as?
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What is the role of the arbitrator regarding applicable laws?
What is the role of the arbitrator regarding applicable laws?
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What should happen if an employee in an acting capacity responds to a grievance?
What should happen if an employee in an acting capacity responds to a grievance?
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What constraint is placed on the arbitrator's decision-making process?
What constraint is placed on the arbitrator's decision-making process?
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What is the certification requirement for all bargaining unit employees within five years of hire?
What is the certification requirement for all bargaining unit employees within five years of hire?
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What happens to employees who do not achieve the necessary certification status?
What happens to employees who do not achieve the necessary certification status?
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What must the City provide to the Union regarding seniority?
What must the City provide to the Union regarding seniority?
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What key aspect determines the layoff process according to the document?
What key aspect determines the layoff process according to the document?
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What is the maximum advance notice the City must provide to the Union before a layoff?
What is the maximum advance notice the City must provide to the Union before a layoff?
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Which alternative to layoffs is NOT mentioned as a consideration?
Which alternative to layoffs is NOT mentioned as a consideration?
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What is the consequence for employees if they fail to respond to a recall notice within the given time frame?
What is the consequence for employees if they fail to respond to a recall notice within the given time frame?
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Under what condition does seniority get terminated for an employee?
Under what condition does seniority get terminated for an employee?
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What must an employee do to ensure that their seniority is not terminated while on an approved leave?
What must an employee do to ensure that their seniority is not terminated while on an approved leave?
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What recourse does the Union have if they believe the City failed to follow the layoff requirements?
What recourse does the Union have if they believe the City failed to follow the layoff requirements?
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Which of the following statements regarding layoffs is accurate?
Which of the following statements regarding layoffs is accurate?
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What is required from employees regarding their mailing address for recall notices?
What is required from employees regarding their mailing address for recall notices?
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What happens if an employee is absent for two consecutive scheduled workdays without notice?
What happens if an employee is absent for two consecutive scheduled workdays without notice?
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What action should the City take if layoffs become necessary?
What action should the City take if layoffs become necessary?
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In the event of a recall, who is prioritized for rehire?
In the event of a recall, who is prioritized for rehire?
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Study Notes
Seniority, Layoff, and Recall Overview
- Seniority is determined by the length of continuous full-time employment as a sworn firefighter with the City.
- Civilian paramedics hired as firefighters retain seniority based on their original hire date.
- Seniority does not accrue during unpaid absences exceeding thirty consecutive days.
Seniority in Rank
- Seniority in rank is based on the length of service in that rank, determined by promotion date and order.
Probationary Period
- New hires go through a twelve-month probationary period.
- During probation, employees can be suspended or terminated without cause.
- No grievances may be raised concerning the status of probationary employees.
Certification Expectations
- Employees must achieve Firefighter III or equivalent certification within five years of hiring to be eligible for promotions or wage advancements beyond step six on the pay scale.
Seniority List Publication
- The City will post and provide a seniority list within four weeks of implementing the agreement and annually thereafter.
- Errors in the seniority list must be reported within fourteen days.
Layoff Procedures
- The City may determine the necessity for layoffs and must give a thirty-day notice, including reasons for layoffs.
- Layoffs are a last resort after considering alternatives like budget reductions and identifying new revenue sources.
- The City will retain final authority over any layoffs and proposed alternatives will not be subject to grievance processes.
Recall Process
- Laid-off employees are placed on a recall list and recalled in the inverse order of their layoff.
- Employees have twenty-one days to return to work upon receiving recall notice and must communicate their intention within ten days.
- The City must mail recall notices to the last known address of the employee.
Termination of Seniority
- Seniority ends if an employee quits, is discharged, retires, has been laid off for three years or more, or accepts other employment while on approved unpaid leave.
- Absences of two consecutive workdays without notification can also lead to termination of seniority.
Impact of Layoff
- Laid-off employees can maintain medical insurance for up to twenty-four months by paying premiums in advance.
- Laid-off employees are entitled to pay for earned, unused vacation time.
Grievance Procedure Overview
- A grievance is defined as a complaint regarding the violation or misinterpretation of the Agreement.
- Employees must attempt to resolve grievances informally with supervisors first.
Steps in Grievance Process
- Step 1: Submit written grievance to Deputy Chief within seven calendar days of the occurrence.
- Step 2: If unresolved, appeal in writing to the Fire Chief within seven days of Step 1 response.
- Step 3: Further appeals can be made to the City Manager within seven days of Step 2 response.
Arbitration Process
- If a grievance remains unresolved, the Union can invoke arbitration within fifteen days following the City Manager’s answer.
- An arbitrator is selected through a mutually agreed process and has no authority to modify the Agreement.
- Decisions from the arbitrator are final and binding, with fees shared equally between the City and the Union.
Time Limits and Miscellaneous Provisions
- Grievances must be filed within seven days; failure to do so waives the right to pursue.
- Union representatives may represent employees during the grievance process without loss of pay.
Other Considerations
- Actions by bargaining unit members in acting capacities do not bind the City unless agreed upon in writing.
- Self-representation is allowed in grievances, provided it does not conflict with the Agreement.### Grievance Procedure
- Parties can agree in writing to bypass steps in the grievance procedure for specific instances.
- The grievance procedure is the only means for discussing and processing related issues.
No Strike Clause
- During the agreement term, neither the Union nor members can engage in strikes, sympathy strikes, slowdowns, or other disruptive actions.
- Violation of the no strike provision may lead to discharge or discipline in accordance with the agreement.
- The Union is responsible for informing members about their obligations and directing them to return to work if violations occur.
No Lockout Clause
- The City commits not to lock out any employees due to labor disputes with the Union throughout the agreement’s term.
Disciplinary Action and Penalties
- Grievances regarding disciplinary action for violating the no strike provision can only address whether the employee engaged in prohibited conduct.
- Non-enforcement of penalties does not constitute a waiver of rights in future instances, nor does it set a precedent.
Judicial Restraint
- Both parties retain the right to seek judicial restraint and damages if the other party violates the Article.
- There is no obligation to exhaust the grievance procedure before pursuing court action for judicial restraint or damages.
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Description
Seniority, layoff and recall, grievance procedure, no strike, no lockout