Title
Recommendation to Approve Eric Levitt, City Manager, Gerry Beaudin, Assistant City Manager, Nancy Bronstein, Human Resources Director, and Alan Cohen, Assistant City Attorney, as Labor Negotiators for the City of Alameda. (Human Resources 2510)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
California cities are governed by State law that sets out the rules for conducting negotiations over wages, hours and other working conditions with bargaining units representing public workers. Per the Brown Act, Government Code Section 54957.6, the City Council designates representatives to participate in closed session with the City Council to discuss labor negotiations with certain unions and unrepresented employees. These discussions with City Council in closed session allow staff to conduct the City’s labor relations in a confidential manner. Staff recommends Eric Levitt, City Manager, Gerry Beaudin, Assistant City Manager, Nancy Bronstein, Human Resources Director, and Alan Cohen Assistant City Attorney be designated as labor negotiators for the City of Alameda (City).
BACKGROUND
The City has nine labor groups and administers two compensation plans. This includes four Public Safety groups, five miscellaneous groups and two unrepresented miscellaneous group. Labor agreements with the four Public Safety groups expire in December of 2021. Labor Agreements with all miscellaneous groups expire in June of 2022. While the City is currently in contract with all labor groups from time to time issues arise that require the direction of City Council. Designating a list of negotiators will allow the City to seek direction from City Council in closed session.
DISCUSSION
California Government Code Section 3500 et seq., commonly known as the Meyers-Milias-Brown Act, provides that public employees have a right to organize and bargain collectively with local government employers over wages, hours and other terms and conditions of employment. Government Code Section 54957.6 of the Brown Act, provides that prior to meeting in closed session with its negotiators, the local agency must hold an open session in which the agency identifies its designated labor representatives. To implement requirements set forth in Government Code Section 54957.6, the City seeks to create a standing list of representatives to participate in closed session with the City Council and engage in labor negotiations.
The City has not previously established a standing list of representatives designated to participate in closed sessions with the City Council to discuss labor negotiations. Rather, the Human Resources Director has historically served as the chief negotiator and participated in closed sessions with the City Council to discuss labor negotiations.
Staff are now recommending that a standing list of negotiators be established and include Eric Levitt, City Manager, Gerry Beaudin, Assistant City Manager, Nancy Bronstein, Human Resources Director, and Alan Cohen, Assistant City Attorney. This will allow City Manager Levitt, Assistant City Manager Beaudin and Human Resources Director Bronstein to negotiate on the City’s behalf, and for the City Attorney’s Office to provide necessary legal support and supervise special counsel as necessary, based on direction provided by the City Council.
ALTERNATIVES
City Council may:
- Approve Eric Levitt, Gerry Beaudin, Nancy Bronstein, and Alan Cohen as labor negotiators for the City of Alameda.
- Identify other staff as negotiators.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no financial impact from the approval of labor negotiators.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action has no effect on the Alameda Municipal Code.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Approval of labor negotiators is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15301, as topic at hand involves the negotiation of the possible sale of property.
CLIMATE IMPACTS
This action has no climate impacts.
RECOMMENDATION
Approve Eric J. Levitt, City Manager, Gerry Beaudin, Assistant City Manager, Nancy Bronstein, Human Resources Director, and Alan Cohen, Assistant City Attorney as Labor Negotiators for the City of Alameda.
CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION
The City Manager requests authorization of the recommended Labor Negotiators for the City of Alameda.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Bronstein, Human Resource Director
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Elena Adair, Finance Director
cc: Eric Levitt, City Manager