Report Prepared by: Deneen Proctor, Director of Support Services
Title
SUBJECT: Agreement for Labor Relations Consulting, Labor Contract Negotiations and Employee Related Legal Services with Law Firm Liebert Cassidy Whitmore
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers approving an agreement for labor relations consulting, labor contract negotiations and employee related legal services with the law firm Liebert Cassidy Whitmore in the amount not to exceed $100,000.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion approving an agreement for professional services with Leibert Cassidy Whitmore for labor relations consulting, labor contract negotiations, and employee related matters in an amount not to exceed $100,000 and authorizing the City Manager or Assistant City Manager to execute the necessary documents.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve as recommended by staff; or,
2. Approve, subject to modification as conditioned by City Council; or,
3. Refer to staff for reconsideration or specific items; or,
4. Deny.
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 200 et. Seq.
Merced Municipal Code Section 3.04
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As provided for in the 2018-2019 adopted budget.
DISCUSSION
The City has five bargaining units and four unrepresented groups. The City recently reached agreement with three of the City's bargaining groups, AFSCME, MACE and the Merced City Firefighters (IAFF Local 1479). The Memorandums for Understanding (MOUs) for two other City bargaining groups Merced Police Officers Association (MPOA) and Merced Associations of Police Sergeants are set to expire on December 31, 2018. The City will continue to use the services of an outside law firm to assist with the labor negotiations and labor related legal matters. This is a common practice used by other public agencies. While City staff will provide substantial support in preparation for and during the negotiation processes, internal City resources are not sufficient to meet the demands associated with the bar...
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