HomeMy WebLinkAboutRESO 5134• ORIGINAL RESOLUTION NO. 5134
RESOLUTION OF-THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO
AMENDING SECTION 1401 OF THE MERIT SYSTEM RULES AND
REGULATIONS
The Council of the City of Palo Alto does RESOLVE as follows:
SECTION 1. Section .1401 of the Merit System Rules and
Regulations is amended to read as follows:
"1401. Memorandum of agreement incorporated ~ reference._ That· certi'In memor.andum of agreement,
Ciated July 29, 1975·,. by and between the City of
Palo Alto and Local 715A, SEIU, AFL-CIO, CLC, consist-
ing of a Preamble and Ar.ticles I through XXVIIl with
three appendices attached thereto and incoporated ~herein
for a term ~onmencing July 1, 1975 and expiring March 31,
1977, is hereby incorpor~ted into these Merit System
Rules and Regulations by reference as though fully set
forth herein. Said memorandum shall apply to all
employees in classifications represented by said
Local 715A, SEIU, AFL-CIO, CLC, except where speci-
fically provided otherwise herein.
In case of conflict between this chapter and
any other provisions of the Merit System Rules and
Regulations, this chapter will prevail over such
other provisions as to employees represented by
sai-d Local 715A, SEIU, AFL-CIO, CLC."
SECTION 2. The changes provided for in this resolution
shall not affect any right established or accrued or any offense
or act committed, or any penalty or forfeiture incurred, or any
prosecution, suit, or proceeding pending or any judgment rendered
_prior to the effective date of this resolution.
SECTION 3. The Council .of the City_of Palo Alto hereby
finds that the enactment .of_ this resolution is not a "project"
within the meaning of that term _as defined in Section 11.04.130
of the Palo Alto Municipal_Code and, therefore, no environmental
assessment is necessary.
INTRODUCED AND PASSED: August 25, 1975 \
AYES: Beahrs, Berwald, Clay, Comstock, Byerly~ Norton, Sher, Witherspoon
NOES: None
ABSENT: ! Carey
APPROVED;
c~on'~~
eraoiu,e
AP~ 47~ yor • li' ~ n c.,~
~,Manager fie
, • 1975 -1977
MEMORANDltt OF AGREEMENT
City of Palo Alto and Local 715A, SEIU, AFL-CIO, CLC
PREAMBLE
This Memorandum of Agreement is entered ·into by the City of Palo Alto (hereinafter
referred to as the City) and Local 715A Service Employees International Union,
AFL-CIO, CLC (hereinafter referred to as the Union). Employeet for the purposes
of this Memorandllll of Agreement, shall mean an employee assigned to a classi~ica
tion within the SEIU unit. This Memorandum of Agreement is pursuant and subject
to Sections 3500 -3510 of the Government Cede of the Stat.e of California and
Chapter 12 of the City of Palo Alto Merit Rules and Regulations.
ARTICLE I -RECOGNITION
Section l. Pursuant to Sections 3500 -3510 of the Government Code of the State of
California and Chapter 12 of the City of Palo Alto Merit System Rules and Regulations,
the City recognizes the Union as the exclusive representative of a representation unit
consisting of all regular full and part time employees in the classifications listed
in Appendix A attached. This unit shall for purposes of identification be titled
the SEIU unit.
Section 2. No supervisor wili perfonn the work of an employee in the SEIU unit pro-
vided that there is an employee available who regularly performs such work. This does
not preclude,a supervisor from performing work of a minor nature or during bona fide
emergencies or on a standby status when willing and qualified unit employees do not
live within an eight (8) mile radius of the City Service Center. By mutua: agreement
of the Union and the department involved, other arrangements may be made regarding the
eight mile radius.
ARTICLE II -NO DISCRIMINATION
Section 1. The City and the Union agree that no person enployed by or applying for
employment hereto shall be discriminated against because of race~ religion, creed,
political affiliation. color. national origin, ancestry, union activity, age or sex
unless sex is a bona fide occupational qualification as defined in Federal or State law.
Section 2. The City and the Union agree to protect the rights of all employees to
exerc1se their free choice to join the Union and to abide by the express provisions of
applicable State and local laws.
Section 3. The City and the Un1on will cooperate in pursuing a policy of affinnative
action. Any City established advisory employee con111ittee relating to affinnative
action shall provide fair Union representation on that conmittee.
ARTICLE III -UNION SECURITY
Section l. When a person is hired in any of the covered job classifications, the City
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Page Two
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shall notify that person that the Union is the recognized bargaining representative
for the employee in said Unit and give t.he employee a current copy of the Memorandt.m
of Agreement.
Section 2. Maintenance of Membershii:>_. All Union members on payroll deduction for
payrr.ent of Onion dues as of 5:00 P.M: on the tenth day following signing of this
Memorandum of Agreement must remain on payroll deduction for the life of this Memorandum
of Agreement or so long as they remain members of the representation unit. Union members
who establish dues payroll deduction during the tenn of the Memorandum of Agr~ement 1111st
remain on payroll deduction for the life of this Memorandum of Agreement or so long as
they remain members of the representation unit. Union members on dues payroll deduction
may declare their intention to tenninate such payroll deduction following expiration of
~~is Memorandum of Agreement during the 30-day period between 60 and 90 days prior to
expiration of the Memorandum of Agreement.
Section 3. The City shall supply the Union with an at cost monthly computer run of the
names, addresses and classifications of all unit employe~s except those who file written
notice with the Personnel Department objecting to rel.ease of address. Names, addresses
an~ classes of new unit employees will be transmitted to the Union unless the employee
objects in writing to release of address, in which case infonnation will be transmitted
without address.
Section 4. Pa~roll Deduction. The City shall deduct Union membership dues and any other mutually agree upon payroll deduction from the bi-weekly pay of-member employees. The
dues deduction must be authorized in writing by the employee on an authorization card
acceptable to the City and the Union. The City shall renit the deducted dues to the Union as soon as possible after deduction.
Section 5. Bulletin Boards and De~rtmental Mail. The Union shall have access to inter-
office mail, existing bullet{n bOa s in unit employee work areas, and existing Union-
paid telephone answering device for the purpose of posting, transmitting, or distributing
notices or announcements including notices of social events, recreational events. Union
membership meetings, results of elections and reports of minutes of Union meetings. Any
other material must have prior ap~roval of th~ Personnel Office. Action on approval will
be taken within 24 hours of submission.
Section 6. Access to Union Re¥resentatives. Representatives of the Union are authorized
access to City work locations or the purpose' of conducting business within the scope
of representation, provided that no disruption of work is involved and the business
transacted is other than recruiting of members or collecting of dues, and the represen-
tative must notify the Personnel. Department Office prior to entering the work location.
Section 7. Meeting Places. The Union shall have the right to reserve City meeting and
conference rooms for use during lunch periods or other non-working hours. Such meeting
places w111 be made available in conformity with City's regu~ations and subject to the
limitations of prior conmitment.
Section 8. Notification to the-union. The Union shall be infonned fn advance in writing
by Management before any proposed changes not covered by this Memorandum of Agreement ·
are made in benefits, working conditions, or other tenns and conditions of ~loyment
which require meet and confer or meet and consult process.
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Section 9. Union Lo30. All materials and documents produced on Itek and metal plates,
by the City print an reproduction shop shall carry the Union label, on the inside of
covers or title pages in accordance with customary printing trades practices.
ARTICLE IV -STEWARDS
Section 1. The Union agrees to notify the Director of Personnel of those individuals
designated as Union officers and stewards who receive and investigate grievances and
represent employees before Management. Alternates may be designated to perfonn Steward
functions durin9 the absences or unavailability of the Steward.
Section 2. The number of Stewards designated by the Union at a given time shall not e~;r,eed twenty-five (25).
Section 3. It is agreed thatt as long as there is no disruption of work, Stewards
shall be allowed reasonable release time away from their work dutiest without loss of
pay, to act in representing a unit employee or employees on g~ievances or matters
within the scope of representation, including:
(a) A meeting of the Steward and ~n employee or employees of that unit related to a
grievance.
(b) A meeting with Management.
(c) Investigation and preparation of grievances.
Grievances may be transmitted on City time.
All Steward release time shall be reported on time cards.
Section 4. The Union agrees that the Steward shall give advance department notification
before leavir.g the work location except in those cases involving emergencies where
advance notice cannot be given.
Section 5. Three Union officers who are City employees shall be allowed a reasonable
amount of released time off for purposes of meeting and conferring or meeting and
consulting on matters within the scope of representation. All such time will be reported
on time cards.
Section 6. Union Stewards may utilize space in assigned desks for storage of Union
materials. In the event Stewards are not assigned desks the City will ~rovide locker
space for storage of Union materials.
ARTICLE V • REDUCTION IN FORCE
Section 1. In the event of reductions in force, they shall be accomplished wherever
possible through attrition.
Section 2. If the work force is reduced within a department, division, or office for
reasons of change in duties or organization, abolition of position, ·shortage of work
or funds9 or completiQn of workt employees with the shortest length of service will be
laid off first so long as employees retained are fu1Jy·qual1fied. trained, and capable
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MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT
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of perfonning remaining work. Length of service for the purpose of this article will be
based on total City service in a regular classification or cl~ssifications. Employees
laid off due to the above reasons will be given written notice at least thirty days prior
to the reduction in force. A copy of such notice will be given to the Union. Such
employees shall be offered priority employment rights to regular or casual positions
which are requistioned and for which the employees are qualified for a period beginning
with notification and ending sixty days following the reduction in force. Employees
transferred or re-classified under this section will be assigned tq the step in the new
classification salary range closest to the employee's salary ra11ge at the time of
re-classification. -
Section 3. If, pur;;uant to Section 2, the City is unable to offer a regular or casual
pos1t1on to an employee during the period beginning with notification of layoff and
ending 60 days following layoff, the City shall pay the employee a severence pay equal
to one month's salary at the employee's final rate of pay prior to tennination.
Section 4. Employees laid off pursuant to Section 2 who are reinstated to a regular
pos1t1on within sixty days shall retain the sick leave balance they had at the time of
layoff unless they have received a sick leave payoff in accordance with Article XII.
Upon reinstatenent the employee 1s hire date of record at the time of layoff will be
reinstated.
ARTICLE VI -PERSONNEL ACTIONS
Section 1. Probation. Each new regular or part-time employee shall serve a proba-
tionary periOCI of six (6) months, comnencing with the first day of his/her employment.
The probationary period shall be regarded as a part of the testing process and shall
be utilized for closely observing the employee's work, for securing the effective
adjustment of a new employee to his/her position, and for rejecting any probationary
employee whose perfonnance does not meet the acceptable standards of work.
In the event of ·termination prior to successful completion of the probationary period,
such tenninated employee shall be given written notice of his/her tennination with
the reaons for the tennination stated therein. The Personnel Department shall, upon
request, afford an interview in a timely fashion to the tenninated employee for dis-
cussion of the reasons for tennination. The employee may. upon request, be ·accompanied
by a Union representative. The interview shall not be deemed a hearing nor shall it
obligat~ the City to reconsider or alter the termination action.
The parties agree that probationary employees shall have all rights under this Memor-
andum of Agreement, including full and complete access to the grievance procedure,
save and except for instances of suspension, demotion or tennination.
Section 2. Personnel Evaluations. Personnel evaluations will be given employees as
scheduled by Management. Pet"sonnel evaluations are not appealable through the
grievance procedure but, fn the event of disagreement over content, the employee may
request a review of the evaluation with.the next higher level of Management. For
purposes of this review, the employee may be represented by the Union. Decisions
regarding evaluation a~peal shall be made in writing within ten working days following
the review meeting.
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Section 3. Personnel Files. Records of all-disciplinary actions shall be kept in the
central personnel ffle. Employees shall be entitled to sign and date all action forms
in their personnel files. Employees are entitled to review their personnel files upon
written request or to authorize. in writing, review by their Union representatives.
An employee or the Union shall be allowed, upon reasonable request, copies of materials
in an employee's personnel file relating to a yrievance. Records of disciplinary
actions shall be removed from a personnel file upon written request by the employee
after a period of five years. or sooner as mutually agreed by-Management and the
employee.
Section 4. Release of lnfonnation. The City will only release infonnation ~o creditors
or other persons upon proper identification of the inquirer and acceptable reasons for
the inquiry. Infonnation then given from personnel files is limited to verification
of ert1ployment, length of employment and verification and disclosure of ~alary range
information. ReleasP. of more specific infonnation may be authorized ~Y the employee.
Section 5. Promotional Opportunities.
(a) Posting
Promotional opportunities for classifications within the representation unit will
be posted for at least ten working days (Monday through Friday) prior to selection.
Outside recruitment may be used for promotional openings only in cases where
there are fewer than three qualified internal candidates within the department
where the vacancy occurs. If used, outside recruitment may begin at the time of
posting, or any time thereafter.
(b) Selection
The selection procedure for each promotional opening will be detennined and adminis-
tered by the Personnel Department in consultation with the requisitioning department.
Selection procedure and job description information will be available at the
Personnel Office at the time of posting. Efforts will be made to standardize tests
and procedures where standardization is feasible and appropriate. Any tests used
shall be reasonably predictive of success in the classification, and tests may not
be bias~ with respect to race, sex. religion, creed, political affiliat16n, color,
national origin, ancestry. or age. Selection procedures may include any or all of
the following phases: -
1. Application." Both inside and outside candidates will make application on forms
specified by the Personnel Department. Appl1cations must be submitted to the
Personnel Office.
2. Screening. Appli~t1ons wil 1 be screened by the Personnel Department to
ascertain whether candidates ~t minim1111 requirements as outlined in the job
description.
3. Perfonnance Testin~. Perfonnance tests, such as typing. ~chinery or vehicle
operation, skills emonstratiOJ1, physical agility, etc., will be qualifying.
Pass-fail points will be announced in advance for qualifying tests.
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MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT
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4. Written Tests. Written achievement or aptitude tests will be qualifying.
Pass-fa11 points will be announced in advance for qualifying tests.
5. Interviews, Ap9ra1sals. Interviews may be conducted individually or by inter-view boards an will be qualifying. Int~rview boards shall be composed of
qualified and unbiased people. Where interview boards are used, Management
will include at least one bargaining unit employee on each boa~. If individual
interviews or an interview board is used, a majority of the individuals or
board menbers must reconmend a candidate in order for the candidate to qualify
for appoinbnent. Perfonnance appraisals written by candidates' supervisors
may be used as indicated in the selectfon procedure.
{c) Recomr.ended Candidates
Candidates who successfully complete all phases of the selection procedure will
be recomnended to the appointing authority. The Personne 1 Department sha 11 main-
ta in lists of employees who are qualified for the following unit classifications:
General Clerk A
General Clerk B
General Clerk C
Building Service Person
Equipment Operator
Parking Monitor
Park Maintenanceperson
Water Quality Control Operator
COfllllJnicator
Librarian General
Secretary A
Secretary B
The City may establish reasonable qualifications, including perfonnance tests or
other tests where applicable, for admitting employees to the lists. Employees
who fail to qualify for any such list shall be told the reasons for non-qualification.
(d) Appointment
The appointing authority will make appointments from among those reconmended can-
didates who are most qualified as detennined by objective review of selection
procedure results and background material. With regard to promotional opportunities,
the following factors will be considered equally in making appointments: past
performance, affinnative action and seniority. ·
(e) Violations
Any violation of this Article may be appealed to the Personnel Director in Step
III of the grievance procedure.
Section 6. Apprentice Positions. The City shall establish apprentice positions wherever feasible. Length of apprenticeship, type of training, and pay levels shall be by mutual
agreement. Where possible, apprentice positions will underfill regular positions so
that incumbents may automatically progress to the classification for which they are
training upon successful comple~ion of apprenticeship.
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Section 7. In assigning employees to regular or special shifts, transfer, standby,
overtime, or vacation selection, ability to perfonn the work, length of service
and/or equitable rotation shall determine the assignments. In accordance with this
provision, more definitive rules may be arranged by mutual agreement of the Union
and individual City departments.
ARTICLE Vll -PAY RATES ANO PRACTICES
Section 1. A general salary increase of 7.5 percent applied to all classifications
in the representation unit effective with the pay period which includes August 1, 1975.
The following classifications shall receive additional realignment increases as noted
below applied prior to the calculation of the above increase:
C0111TIUnications Technician 5.0%
Elec Systems Dispatcher
W/G Telem Technician
E1ectrician 3.5%
Lineper/Cable Splicer
Lineper/Cable Splicer Lead
Elec Assistant
Driver/Groundperson
Elec Leadperson
Cathodic Technician
Chief Meterperson
Street Light Replace
Traffic S1gn Painter/Lamp
Motorized Equipment Mechanic 3.0%
Motor Equip Mech Lead
Auto Service Mech Auto Serviceperson
Water Quality Control Plt Oper 3.0%
Chief Operator
Maint Mechanic
Senior Mechanic
Supv General Recreation 2.0% Coord Rec Programs
Instruct Arts & Crafts
Pri nc Prod Arts Producer Arts Programs
Pr and Prom Coord--Arts
Supervisor Recre~tion
Coord Senior Adu It Resources
Building Inspector 1.0%
City Ord Compliance Insp
El ec Underground Insp
Public Works Inspector
MEMORAi~IlJM OF AGREEMENT
Page Eight
Park Ranger 1.0%
Natural f st
Chief Park Ranger
Jr Museum/Zoo Attend
Principal Planner 1.0%
Pdmin Zoning
Planner
Assoc Planner
Anal Traffic
Environ Specialist
Party Chief 1.0%
lnstrumentperson
Facilities Painter 3.0%
Facilities Electrician
Facilities Carpent~r
Facilities Mechanic
Facilities Maint Lead
The Delivery/Stock Clerk sha 11 be increased .in pay to $920/month prior to calculation .
of the general pay increase in accordance with a prior grievance resolution.
The Sign Fabricator and Installer shall receive the same pay level as· the Cenent
Finhher.
Section 2. A general increase of 2.0 percent applied to alt classifications in the
representation unit effective with.the pay period which includes January 1, 1976.
A general salary increase of 6.0 percent applied to all classifications in the repre-
sentation unit effective with the pay period which includes July 1, 1976.
Section 3. Ste~ Increases. Merit advancements ·frm the first salary step to the
second salary s ep shall be granted at six-month interva'-; and between second and
subsequent steps at one-year intervals if the affected employee has demonstrated
continued improvement and efficient and effective service. For the purpose of deter-
mining step time requireMnts, time will cmaence on the first day of the month
coinciding with or following entrance onto a salary step. Step increases shall be
effective on the-first day of the payroll period fn which the time requirements have
been met.
Section 4. Annual MJustment. Annually. each employee who holds a regular full-time
appointment in the municipal service on or before July first and continues in such
status ~rough the first day of Pay Period No. 12 (in December} shall receive, in
addition to the salary prescribed herein. a salary adjustment equal to one percent
(11) of the employee's current annual salary. Annual adjustlllents shall be prorated
to reflect appointllent fn;a January 1 through July 1 of the c~rrent year, or inter-
rupted service during the year~ _
Section 5. Working Out Of Cl1ss1f1catfon. The term "working out of classff1catfon" is dittnea as ·a Ranagwnt autfi0,.1zid full time assignment to a budgeted position on
MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT
Page Nine
a temporary basis wherein all significant duties are perfonned by an individual holding
a classification within a lower compensation range. Pay for working out of classifica-
tion shall be as follows:
(a) Employees appointed to unfilled requisitioned positions on an "out of classifica-
tion11 basis will receive acting pay within the range of the higher classification
beginning the first day of the as~ignment.
(b) Employees appointed to a position for vacation coverage will receive acting pay
within the range of the higher classification beginning on the twenty-first
consecutive working day.
(c) Employees appointed to a position for sick leave or other leave of absence coverage
will receive acting pay within the range of the higher classification beginning
on the fourth consecutive working day. However, the qualifying period shall be
limited to a total of ten days per fiscal year, after which acting pay shall begin
on the first day of the assignment.
The step within the range of the higher classification will be the step at which the
employee would be paid if pennanently appointed to that classification.
Out of classificativn provisions do not apply to work assignments perfonned in connec-
tion with specific predetermined apprenticeship or training progr&~s or declared
conditions of public peril and/or disaster.
Section 6. Classification Changes
(a) During the course of this agreement, the City shall notify the employee concerned
in case of contemplated change in job content as contained in the classification
descriptions which were in effect as of July 1, 1975. The Union shall be notified
in advance of any contemplated changes in classification description and such
changes shall be subject to the meet and confer process during the tenn of this
Memorand1JTI of Agreement. If the Union and the City cannot reach agreement on
the appropriate pay level for a job so reclassified, the classification description
shall revert to its fonner status.
(b) An employee or his/her representative may request in writing a re-evaluation of
his/her job based on significant changes in job content or significant discrepancies
between job content and classification descript;on. The request must contain
justification and may be made only during the period of December 10 through
January 10. The Administrator of Compensation will respond to such requ~sts in
a timely manner. If meetings are held the employee may request repre~~ntati_an.
Any changes determined will become effective the first pay period following fiscal
year or the job will be returned to its previous status.
Section 7. Advance of Vacation Pay, Vacation pay shall be made available in advance
of regular pay day provided that employee requests such advance in writing to the -
Controller's Office at least two weeks prior to his/her vacation date. The employeets
supervisor must verify vacation date on the request.
MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT
Page Ten
Section 8. Assignment to a Lead Position. All vacancies in lead positions shall be
filled in accordance with Article VI, Section 5. The pay range for the lead position
shall be seven percent above the pay step of the highest paid employee on the crew.
Departmental exceptions for filling lead positions on a rotational basis for training
and development purposes may be arranged by mutual agreement of the Union and indi-
vidual City departments. Current exceptions are listed in Appendix B.
ARTICLE VIII -HOURS OF WORK, OVERTIME, PREMIUM PAY
Section 1 •. Work Week and Work Day. The standard work day for regular employees shall
be eight hours to be worked within a maximum of nine hours (five day work week) or 10
hours to be worked within a maximum of eleven (four day work week) or nine hours to be
worked within a 10 {four and one-half day work week). The standard work week shall be
forty hours to be worked within five consecutive days. Existing exceptions to the
above are listed in Appendix c. The Union shall be notified of any further exceptions
to this section in accordance with Article III, Section 8.
Section 2. Overtime Work •
. ·-(a) Overtime work for all unit employees shall be defined as any time worked beyond
the standard work day or ~eyond the standard work week.
(b) Compensation to employees working overtime will be in the fonn of add1tional pay at
the rate of one and one-half times the employee 1s basic hourly salary with the
exception that subject to the limitations of the Fair Labor Standards Act an employee
may request and, upon approval, be granted compensatory time off at the rate of· one
and one-half hours for each hour of overtime worked.
In the event compensatory tfme off is used as the method of compensating for over-
time, the time off will ~e taken prior to the end of the quarter following the
quarter in which the overtime has been worked. In the event the employee is denied
this provision, he/she will be compensated in pay for such time at the appropriate
rate specified by these sections.
(c) All time for which pay is received shall count as hours actually worked for the
computation of overtime pay.
(d) When an employee works 14 hours or more in the 24-hour period inmed1ately previous
to the employee's shift starting time, the employee will be allowed an eight-hour
rest period before returning to work. Any portion of the rest period falling
within the employee's work shift will be considered as hours worked and compensated
at the straight time rate. This provision does not apply to conditions of bona fide
emergency. Bona fide emergency conditions are conditions involving real or potential
loss of service or property or personal danger.
Section 3. Work Shifts. All employees shall be assigned to work shifts with scheduled
-starting and quitting times. Should conditions necessitate ~ change in starting and
quitting times, the Union will be notified ten (10) working days in advance and per-
mitted to discuss such changes with the City. This, however, shall not preclude the City's right to effect schedule changes dictated by operatjonal necessity. -This section
does not apply to overtime scheduling. ·
Section 4. City Paid Emergency Meals.
-(a) For purposes of this section, emergency overtime is defined as overtime ~rising
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Page Eleven
out of situations involving real or potential loss of service or property or
personal danger. The City will provide meals in the following emergency overtime
situations:
l. When an employee is called back and is on duty for a period of three con-
secutive hours.
2. When an employee is held over on duty so that his/her combined nonna1 work
shift and overtime assignment exceed six continuous hours from his/her
last meal and one and one-half hours after shift end.
3. When an employee is called out two hours or more before a regularly scheduled
day shift and works the regularly scheduled shift, he/she will be entitled
to breakfast.
4. When customar convenience wo~k or other emergency work precludes an employee
from obtaining a meal at .the end of the shift.
{b) The City will provide meals for personnel assigned to non-emergency overtime work
where the assignment extends more than one and one-half hours after the shift end
and six continuous hours from the last meal unless at least eighteen hours•
advance notice is provided. _
{c) All meals provided shall be comparable substitutes for the employee's regular
meals. Where possible the City will arrange purchase orders at mutually agreeable
restaurants. -
Section 5. Rest Periods. All employees shall be granted a rest perfad or coffee break limited to 15 minutes during each four hours of work. Departments may make
reasonable rules concerning rest period scheduling. Rest periods not taken shall be
waived.
Section 6, Clean Up Time. All employees whose work causes their person or clothing
to become soiled shall be provided with reasonable time before lunch and at shift end
for washup purposes.
Section 7. Standby Pay, Call-Up Pay.
(a) Standby Compensation
Employees perfotining standby_ duty shall be canpensated at the rates established
below: Period
Monday through Friday
4:30 P.M. -8:00 A.M.
Saturday. Sunday, Hol 1days
(b} Special call-Up Status
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Compensation
$16.00 per day
$24.00 per day
Employees asfifgned tO spec;al call-up status shall be compensated at the rates
established below:
Period
MEftl>RANDUM OF AGREEMENT
Page Twelve
Monday through Friday
Saturday, Sunday, Holidays
Compensation
$14.00/assigmnent period
$21.00/assignment period
{c) Minimum Call Out Pay
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Employees not otherwise excluded from rece1v1ng overtime pay.who are called out
to perfonn unscheduled work shall be compensated for at least two hours' pay for
each occurrence at the appropriate overtime rate. This provision does not apply
to employees called out to work while earning pay for being in a standby status.
Section 8. Ni~ht Shift Premium. An additional 30t per hour night shift premium shall
be paid to emp oyees for work perfonned between 6:00 P.M. and 8:00 A.M. Employees who
regularly work night shifts shall receive appropriate night shift premiums, relating
to night shift hours worked, in addition to base pay for holidays, sick leave and
vacation.
ARTICLE IX -UNIFORMS AND TOOL ALLOWANCES
Section 1. Unifonns
(a) The City will provide unifonns. coveralls or shop coats on a weekly basis for
the following jobs and/or classifications:
Facilities Painter
Facilities .Elt~ctr1cfan
Facilities Carpenter
Facilities Mechanic
Facilities Maintenanceperson -Lead
Leaf Truck Operator
Traffic Lane Painter
Traffic Lane Painter -Lead
Building Inspector
Other Streets Division employees when engaged in
traffic painting operations
Heavy Equf pnent Operator (Refuse)
Heavy Equ1pnent Operator -lead (Refuse)
· Refuse Disposal Attendsnt
Utility Servfceperson
Meter Reader Gas System Field Repa1rperson
Chemist. Water Quality Control
Laboratory Technician, Water Quality Control
Building Serviceperson
Building Serviceperson -Lead
Junior ~eum/Zoo Attendant
Auto Serv1ceperson
Auto Service Mechanic
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MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT
Page Thirteen
Motor Equipnent Mechanic
Motor Equipment Mechanic -Lead
Mail Clerk
Offset Duplicating Machine Operator
Storekeeper
Assistant Storekeeper
Chief Storekeeper
(b} All other employees who are required to wear specific clothing in the perfonnance
of their jobs shall receive one-hundred fifty dollars ($150) per year uniform
allowance. This section shall foclude, but not be limited to, Animal Shelter,
Foothills Park and Parking Monitor employees. If any other employee is required
to wear a unifonn during the life of this Memorandum of Agreement, the City will
1112et and confer with the Union concerning the establishment of an equitable uni-
fonn allowance. All uniforrfl allowances shall be paid bi-weekly.
(c) Employees required to wear unifonns shall be provided suitable change rooms and
lockers where presently provided.
{d) Employee clothing-seriously damaged or destr~yed in conjunction with an industrial
injury wi11 be reasonably replaced by the City. Any other claims alleging City
liability may be filed with the City Attorney.
Section 2. Tool Allowance.
(a) Mechanics in Equipnent Maintenance shall be paid a tool allowance of $65 per year.
{b) Auto Service employees in Equipment Maintenance shall be paid a tool allowance of
$39 per year.
{c) All tool allowances shall be paid bi-weekly.
ARTICLE X -HOLIDAYS
Sec ti on 1. Fixed Ho 1 i days. Except as otherwise provided, employees within the repre-
sentation unit shall have the following fixed holidays with pay:
January l
Thi rd Monday in February
· Last Monday fn May
July 4 _
First Monday in September
September 9
Second Monday in October
Fourth Monday in October
Thanksgiving Day
Day after Thanksgiving Day
December 25
One-hal_f day either December 24 or December 31
In the event that" any of the afore-mentioned days, except for December 24 or December 31,
falls on a Sunday, the following Monday shall be cor.sidered a holiday. In the event
MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT
Page Fourteen
that any of the afore--mentioi1ed days, except for December 24 or December 31, falls on
a Saturday, the preceding Friday shali-be considered a holiday.
Section 2. Pay for Fixed Holidays.
(a) All employees shall be paid a full day's pay at their regular straight time base
hourly rate for all fixed holidays as defined herein.
{b) An employee must be in a pay status on the work day preceding the holiday to be
eligible to be compensated for a holiday. This subsection does not apply to an
employee who is on an unpaid medical leave of absence of less than five (5) days.
Section 3. Work on Fixed Holida¥s. Any employee required to work on a fixed holiday shall be paid time and one-halfor such work in addition to his or her holiday pay.
Section 4. Variations in Work Week.
(a) An employee whose work schedule requires that his or her regular days off be other
than Saturday and/or Sunday shall have an additional day off scheduled by the
department in th6,avent a fixed holiday falls-during his or her regularly
scheduled day off. Every attempt will be made to schedule the day on a mutually
agreeable basis. If the day cannot be so scheduled within 90 days, the employee
shall be paid for the day at the straight time rate.
{b) Fixed holid~ which fall during a vacation period or when any employee is absent
because of illness shall not be charged against the employee's vacation or sick
leave balance.
Section 5. Floating Days Off. Floating days off with pay will be scheduled by Management as follows so as to produce three-day weekends:
August 1975
December 1975
January 1976
March 1976
April 1976
June 1976
August ;976
March 1977
One floating day off
One·floating day off to be scheduled on December 26 for all
operations except those remaining open as designated by
Management
One floating day off to be scheduled on January 2 for all
operations except those remaining open as designated by
Management.
One floating day off
One-floating day off
One floating day off
One floating day off
One floating day off
The following conditions will hold:
-l. Management will desig~te the scheduling of the paid day off under this section
at least thirty days io advance.
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MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT
Page Fifteen
2. If in confonnance with this section Management is unable to schedule a day
off in the month indicated, for reasons of shift operations, work scheduling
or any other reason, the day will be added to the employee's vacation accrual.
3. If an. employee fails to take a day off as scheduled by Management under this
section, the day off so scheduled will be forfeited. -
ARTICLE XI -VACATIONS
Section l. Each employee shall be entitled to an annual paid vacation, accrued as
follows:
(a} Less than four (4) years' continuous service--ten (10) working days per year.
(b) Four (4) years continuous service _through eight (8) years continuous service--
fifteen (15} working days per year.
(c) Nine (9) or more years• continuous service--twenty (20} working days per year.
Employees may accrue up to three times their annual vacation leave without loss of
vacatio~ days. In the event the City is unable to schedule vacation and, as a result
thereof, the employee is subject to loss of accrued vacation the City shall extend the
vacation accrual limit up to one year in which time the excess vacation must be
scheduled and taken. As long as there is no interference with departmental operation,
there shall be no unreasonable restriction of increments of use. Employees shall
C(Jllplete six (6) months' continuous service before using accrued vacation leave.
Section 2. Holiday Falling During Vacation. In the event a fixed holiday as defined
in Article X falls within an employee's vacation period, which would have excused the
employee from work (and for which no other compensation fs made), an additional work
day for such holiday shall be added to the vacation leave.
Section 3. Illness During Vacation. When an employee becomes ill while on vacation
and such illness can be supported by a statement from an accredited physician or the
employee is hospitalized for any periods the employee shall have the period of illness
charged against sf ck leave and not against vacation leave.
Section 4. Vacation Benefits for Deceased lo ees. An employee who is eligible
or vacat1on eave an o ies w i e n t 11a1n1c1pal service shall have the amount
of any accrued vacation paid to his/her estate within thirty days. This proration
will be ccwnputed at his/her last basic rate of pay.
Section 5. Effect of Extended MH itar'f Leave. An employee who foterrupts service
because of extended mf litary leave sha 1 be compensated for accrued vacation at the
time the leave becomes effective.
Section 6. Vacati_on at Tenninat1on. Employees leaving the municipal service with
accrued vacation ·ieave shal 1 be paid the amounts of accrued vacat1on to the date of
tenni nation. -
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MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT
Page Sixteen
ARTICLE XII -LEAVE PROVISIONS
Section 1. Sick Leave.
{a) Tha City shall provide each employee with paid sick leave, earned on a daily basis
and computed at the rate of 96 hours per year, with no limits on amounts that
(b)
{c)
{d)
may be accuri1ulated. Payment for accumulated sick leave at ten1ination shall be
made only in the following circumstances:
1. Eligible employees who leave the municipal service or who die while employed
and who have fifteen or more years of continuous service shall receive
compensation for unused sick leave hours in a sum equal to two and one~half
per_cent of their unused sick leave hours multiplied by their years o~ contin-
uous service and their basic hourly rate of pay at tennination.
2. Full sick lea~e accrual will be paid in the event of tennination due to
disabi 1 i ty.
3. Employees who retire from municipal service who have fifteen (15) or more
years of continuous service may at their option convert all or a portion of
their unused sick leave hours to paid City Employee Medical Plan premilmls for
the employee only at the rate of one munth for every eight hours of sick leave
accrued. This option is open only to employees who retire ~uring the life
of this Agreement and who are covered by the City Employee Medical Plan or
exercise their option to convert to the City Employee Medical Plan upon
retirement.
Use of Sick Leave. Sick leave shall be allowed and used in cases of actual personal
Sickness or disability, medical or dental treatment. or as authorized for personal
business. Up to five days sick leave per year may be used for illness in the
innediate family. A new employee may, if necessary, use_up to forty-eight (48)
hours of sick leave at any time during the first six months of employment. Any
negative balances generated by such utilization will be charged against future
accrual or deducted from final paycheck in the event of tennfnation.
An employee who has been disabled for 60 consecutive days and who is otherwise
eligible both for pa)111ent under the long-tenn disability group insurance coverage
and accrued sick leave benefits may,.at his/her option, choose·either to receive
the long-tenn disability benefits or to utilize the remainder of his/her accrued
sick leave prior to applying for long-tenn disability benefits. -.
Sick leave will not be granted for illness occurring during any leave of absence
unless the employee can demonstrate ttlat it was necessary to come under the care
of a doctor while on-such other leave of absence.
Section 2. ·Bereavement Leave. -Leave of absence with pay of three days may be granted
iii employee by the head of his or her department in the event of death in the employee's
inwnediate family. which fs defined for the purposes of th1s section as wife, husband,
son, son-in-law, daughter, daughter-in-law, mother, mother-in-law, brother, brother-
in-law, sister, sister-in-law, grandmother. grandmother-in-law, grandfather, grandfather-
in-law, or a close relative residing in the household of the employee. Such leave
shal 1 be at ful 1 pay and shall not be charged aga1".'st the employee•s accrued vacation/
or sick leave. Request for leave with pay 1n ex~ss of three (3) days shall b~ subject
to the approval of the C1ty Manager. Approval of additional leave w11l be based on
the circumstances of each request wfth conQ'fderatfon given to the employee•s need for -
addf t1onal time.
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MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT
Page Seventeen
Section 3. Military Leave. The provisions of the Military and Veterans Code of the State of California shall govern the granting of military leaves of absence and the
rights of employees returning from such leaves.
Section 4. Leave Without Pay. Leaves of absence without pay may be granted in cases
of illness not covered by sick leave. in cases of personal emergencies or when such
absences would not be contrary to the best interest of the City. In cases of unpaid
medical leave of absence, the employee may elect to retain his/her accrued vacation
credit for regular use after return to duty. Requests for leaves shall not be unreason-
ably denied. ·
Section 5, Maternity Leave. An employee with at least six (6) months' service.may take
up to one year's leave of absence for the purpose of childbirth and/or post-natal infant
care. A physician shall verify the pregnancy at the City's request; The anployee must
submit a physician's authorization including job restrictions, if any. Continued work
and return to work shall be subject to any such restrictions. The employee may elect
to use earned sick leave anJ vacation during the leave. Sick leave may not be used
during the post-partum leave of absence unless medical complications preclude return
to work, as authorized by the physician. No combination of maternity leave, sick leave
and vacation may exceed one year total or six months' postpartum.
Section 6. Jury Duty and Subpoenas. Employees required to report for jury duty or
to answer subpoenas as a witness in behalf of the State of California or any of its
agencies shall be granted a leave of absence with pay from their assigned duties until
released by the court, provided the employee remits to the City all fees receiv·~d from
such duties other than mileage or subsistence 3llowances within thirty (30) aays from
the tennination of jury service.
When an employee returns to complete a regular shift following ·time served on jury
duty or as a witness, such time falling within the work shift shall be considered as
time worked for purposes of shift completion and overtime computation. In detennining
whether or not an employee shall return to his or her regular shift following perfonn-
ance of the duties above, reasonable consideration shall be given to such factors as
travel time and a period of rest.
When a comb; nation of City work time and jury duty equals 14 or more hours in the 24-
hour period inmediately prior to the employee•s shift starting time, the employee
will be allowed a rest period of eight hours. fvly portion of the rest period falling
within the employee's work shift will be considered as hours worked and compensated
at the straight time rate. This provision does not apply to conditions of bona fide
emergency. Bona fide emergency conditions are conditions involving real or potential
loss of service or porperty or personal danger.
Section 7. Time Off to Vote. Time off with pay to vote in any general or direct
primary election shall be granted as provided 1n the State of california Elections
Code, and notice that an employee desires such time off shall be g1ven in accordance
with the provisions of said Code. ·
Section 8. Educational Leave and Tuition Reimbursement.
(a) City will reimburse expenses fo~ tuition, books and curriculum fees incurred by
employees within the representation unit, to a maxiRltm of $450 per fiscal year.
for classes given by .accredfted institutions of learning or approved specialized
MEMORANWM OF AGREEMENT
Page Eighteen
.. ·-('
training groups. Programs lllJSt either contribute to the anployee's job perfonn-
ance or prepare the employee for other City positions, and ITllSt be approved in
advance. City employees wishing to engage in educational programs involving .
working time may be granted rescheduled time if departmental operations pennit.
(b) Employees may request advance of funds subject to the approval of the Personnel
Office. Advances may be granted for tuition, books and other curriculum fees
in exchange for repayment agreement in the event advances are not supported or
courses are not satisfactorily C(lftpleted as indicated.
(c) Professional and technical emplo,19es assigned by the City to attend meetings,
workshops~ or conventions of their professional or technical associations shall
have their dues and reasonable expenses paid by the Ci\y and shall be allowed to
attend such workshops, and meetings. and conventions on paid City time.
Section 9. In case of disapproval of extension, .revocation or cancellation of an existing leave of absence, notice shall be sent to certified mail, return receipt
requested. to the employee stating the date of such action, the reason and a specific
date to return to work, which is not less than five working days from date indicated
on return receipt.
Section 10. Personal Business Leave Cha eable to Sick Leave~ All employees shall
grante up to e g teen urs persona s1ness ea~e chargeable to sick
leave. The scheduling of such leave is subject to the approval of the appropriate
level of Management.
APTICLE XIII -\KJRKERS' CCM>ENSATION INSURANCE
Section 1. Industrial Temporary Oisab:i lity.
(a) While temporarily disabled, employees shall be entitled to use accrued sick leave
for the first three (3) days following the date cf injury and thereafter shall
be paid full base salary for a period not to exceed fifty-seven (57j calendar
days, unless hospitalized, in which case eq>loyees shali be paid full base salary
for a period not to exceed sixty (60) calendar days from date of injury.
(b) For any tanporary disability continuing beyond the time limits set forth fo (a)
above, employees shall be paid 65% of 95% of their full base salarJ at the time
of injury for the duration of such tanporary disability in confonaance with the
State law.
(c) During the period of temporary disabil Hy, an anployee's e11gibil ity for heal th,
dental t life, LTD, or other insured program will continue. Deductions for these
programs must be authorized by the e11ployee. City contributions will COfttinue.
In case of Subsection (a) above 1 the employee w111 continue to accrue vacation
and $ick leave benefjts. In the case of Subsection (b), sick leave and vacation
benefits shall not be accrued.
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MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENi
Page IHneteen
that a public agency will make available to qualified injured workers such a rehabili-
tation program. Such rehabilitation benefits are additional benefits and shall not
be converted to or replace any Workers• Compensation benefits. The City agrees that
when any pennanently disabled employee requests such rehabilitative benefits. the City
will meet with the employee and Union representative or legal counsel if desired to
consider foniwlation of an appropriate and reasonable program.
ARTICLE XIV -BENEFIT PROGRAMS
Section 1. Health Plan. The City shall pay all premium payments on behalf of employees
whO are eligible for coverage under the health plans as desc~1bed in Subsection (a)
~nd (b). Any premium rate increases during the life of this Memorandum of Agreement
shall be paid by the City. The following options will exist:
{a) Employee and dependent coverage under the existing Kaiser Health Plan S Contract;
{b) Employee and dependent coverage tnder the existing City of Palo Alto Employe~·
Health Plan with major medical maximum of $250,000.
Section 2. Dental Plan. The City shall pay all premium pa,yments on be~alf of employees who are eligible for coverage under the existing California Dental Service dental
insurance plan or the equivalent benefits under a self-insured program. except that
employees will pay the following amounts for dependent coverage:
One Dependent
Tw or More Dependents
$ 6.05 per month
$13.85 per month
The City sh~ll assUCJe any premium rate increase in existing employee and dependent
dental coverage.
Section 3. Basic Life Insurance. The City agrees to continue the basic life insurance
plan as currentiy in effect for the tenn of this Memorandum of Agreement.
Section 4. Deferred Canpensation. The City shall make available the necessary pay-
roll aedilct1on and otherprocediires to provide a deferred canpensation plan.
Section 5. Lonf Term Disabilitl_. The City agrees to continue, at euplQYee cost,
the long tent a sa6'111ty insurance as currently fn effect for the term of this Menor-
andum of A9reanent. For those employees without eligible de~ndents. the City will
pay up to $8 per month toward long term disability insurance premii.ans.
ARTICLE XV -RETIREMENT
The City w111 continue the present benefits under the Public: Eniployees' ~'?tfrement
Systan l/50th at Agtt 60 ForRJla.Act. Retired employees and spouses of aeceased
employees shall continue reductions in utility rates and shall also have residential
privileges at City libraries and refuse disposal area.
MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT
Page Twenty
ARTICLE XVI -PARKING
..
The City shall provide all employees within the representation u~it parking privileges
in the Civic Center garage at no cost to such employees. The City will provide bicycle
lockers and motorcycle parking areas for City employees at mutually agreeable work
locations.
ARTICLE XVII -PHYSICAL EXlfil~TIONS
If any non-probationary employee who is required to have a City-provided physical
examination not related to workers• compensation programs disagrees with the findings
of the City-sponsored physician, he/she may consult with his/her own physician and,
if his/her private physician's report conflicts with that of the City physician in
tenns of ability to work at his/her regular job, then he/she may request an evaluation
of his/her problem through a third physician mutually agreed upon by the employee and
the City. Cost for such examination will be equally sh~red and the decision of this
physician concerning t~e continuing ability of the anployee to perfonn his/her work
in his/her regular job without exposing hiffiself/herself to further injury as a result
of his/her condition shall be the basis for returning the employee to his/her regular
work.
ARTICLE XVIII -SAFETY
Section 1. Health and Safe~ Provisions. The City shall furnish and use safety
devfces arid safeguards arid sall adOpt and use practices, means. methods. operations
and processes which are reasonably adequate to render such employment and place of
employment safe, in confonnance with applicable safety regulations under the State
Labor Code sections.
The City shall not requirP. or permit any employee to go into or be in any employment
or place of employment which is not safe.
Section 2. Union will coope~ate with the City by encouraging al 1 employees to per-
fonn their work in a safe maMer.
Sec ti on 3. safety C:0-1 ttees and 01 SP'ltes.
{a) In: Civic Center
soc.:ial and Comnun1ty Services
Public Works, Streets
Public Works, Parks
Water·Gas-Sewer Field Operations
Electrical Field Operations
water Qu.al 1ty Control
8tJild1ng Maintenance
EquiJ88nt Ma1ntenance-
Bu11d1ng Services
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MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT
Page Twenty-One
Safety comnittees composed of management and Union Stewards w111 meet no less than
ten times annually to discuss safety practices~ methods of reducing hazards, and
safety training. ·fhis shall in no way remove the basic responsibility of safety
from the supervisors nor shall it in any way alter the responsibility of the
employee to report unsafe conditions directly and iT1111ediately to his or her super-
vhor.
(b) A City-wide Union-Management safety comnittee with equal Union and Management
membership with representatives from a11 of the major segments of the City will
meet no less than ten times annually to establish and review safety and occupa-
tional health standards and practices, p~riodically inspect all City facilities,
discuss overall City safety and health problems, and to act as an advisory group
to the departmental safety c01111littees. The comnittee shall review all departmental
safety programs and recomnend changes where necessary.
{c) In cases of dispute ·over safe working conditions the enployee will first report
such unsafe conditions to his or her supervisor and every attempt will be made to
rectify the problem at this level. The employee may contact his or her Steward
to assist in the resolution of the dispute. If the problem cannot bEiresolved
the Administrator of Safety will be contacted and the problem will be addressed
through the interpretation of the basic safety rules and regulations. Should ~he
pro~lem not be resolved at this step, the grievance procedure will be utilized.
Safety grievances shall be submitted at Step Ill.
ARTICLE XIX -GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE
Section l. The City and the Union recognize that ea;·ly settlement of grievances is
essential to sound employee-employer relations. The parties seek to establish a
mutually satisfactory method for the settlement of employee grievances, or Union
grievances as provided for below. In presenting a grievance, the aggrieved and/or his
or her representative is assured freedom from.restraint, interferrence, coercion.
discrimination or reprisal. Release t1me for investigation and pr~cessing a grievance
is designated in Article IV of this Manorandum of Agreement.
Section 2. Definition. A grievance is:
(a) An unresolved complaint or dispute regarding the application or interpretation of
rules, regulations, policies. procedures, Menoranda of Agreements or City ordi-
nances or resolutions, relating to terms or conditions of employment, wages or
fringe benefits.
(b) An appeal from a disciplinary action of any kfnd aga1~st an employee covered by this Memorandum of Agreement. ··
Section 3. Conduct of Grievance Procedure.
(a) An aggrieved employee ma.y be represented by the Unf on or may represent him or
herself in preparing and presenting a grievance at any~level of review. Grievances
may also be presented by a group of employees. No grievance settlement may be
made 1n v1o1ation of an existing merit rule or mmorandum of agrl!elllent. The Union
will be not;fied prior to the 1mplementat1on of any settlement made which affects
the rights or conditions nf other employees ntpresented by the Union.
MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT
Page Twenty-Two
(b) An employee and the representative Steward, if any, may use a reasonable amount
of work tfme so long as there is no disruption of work. in conferring about and
presenting a grievance. Beginning with the third step of the grievance procedure,
the Chief Steward or Alternate Chief Steward may assist in presenting a grievance
and may be present at all Step III, IV, and V grievance hearings.
{c) The time limits specified in.this Article may be extended by mutual agreement in
writing of the aggrieved employee or the Union and the reviewer concerned.
(d) Should a decision not be rendered within a stipulated time limit, the aggrieved
employee may i11111ediately appeal to the next step.
{e) The grievance may be considered settled if the decision of any step is not appealed
within the specified time limit.
(f} If appropr1ate, the aggrieved employee(s) or the Union and the department head
may mutually agree to waive Step I and/or Step II of the grievance procedure.
(g) Written grievances shall be submitted on fonns provided by the City or on fonns
which are mutually agreeable to the City and the Union.
{h) Any retroactivity on monetary grievances shall be limited to the date of
occurrence except in no case will retroactivfty be granted prior to three months
before the grievance was filed in writing.
{i) If the grievance is filed by more than one employee in the bargaining unit, the
Union may, at its option, convert it to a Union grievance after Step II of the
grievance procedure. The Union may also file a grievance in those instances when,
under this Memorandum of Agreement, a Union right not directly related to an
individual employee becomes the subject of dispute. Union grievances shall comply
with all of the foregoing provisions and procedures.
Section 4. Grievance Procedure.
Step I. The aggrieved employee will first attempt to resolve the grievance through
infonnal discussions with his or her imnediate supervisor by the end of the tenth
working day following the discovery of or the incident upon which the grievance is
based. Every attanpt will be made to settle the issue at this level. (Note: For
, ;>Urposes of time 11111 ts, the working days are cons 1 dered to be Monday through Fri days
exclusive of City holidays.)
Stef II. If the grievance is not resolved through the informal discussion, the employee Wf l ri<Juce the grievance to writing and submit copies to the division head or equiv-
alent level Management anployee as designated by Management as appropriate within ten
working da.ys of the discussion with the inmediate supervisor.
The division head or equivalent level Managmtent •loyee shal 1 have ten working days
from the receipt of a written grievance to review the matter and prepare a written
statement.
Step III. If the grievance is not resolved at Step II• the aggrieved employee may appeal to his or her department head 1n writing within ten working days of the
receipt of the division head's response.
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MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT
Page Twenty-Three
_The department head shall have ten working days from the receipt of a written grievance
to review the matter and convey his or her decision by written statement.
Step IV. If the grievance is not resolved at Step III, the aggrieved employee may
appeal to an Adjustment Board. Appeals to the Adjustment Board shall be made in
writing and directed to the Personnel Director within ten working days of receipt of
the department head 1s response. The Personnel Director shall convene an Adjustn:ent
Board within ten working days of receipt of the appeal. The Adjustment Board shall
consist of two persons appointed by the Union and two persons appointed by the City Manager. · ·
The Adjustment Board is empowered to call City employees as witnesses.
Within the context of Step IV, the Adjustment BQard will have the same powers and
limitations to settle grievances as an arbitrator.
A majority decision of the Adjustment Board shall be final and binding. The Adjustment
Board shall render its findings and decisions (if any) to the parties within ten
working days of its meeting.
Step V. If the grievance is not resolved at Step IV, the aggrieved employee may choose
between final and binding resolution of the grievance through appeal to the City Manager
or through appeal to final and binding grievance arbitration. For the tenn of this
Memorandllll of Agreement, appeals to final and binding_ grievance arbitration may be
processed only with Union approval. All Step V appeals must be filed in writing at
the Personnel Department Office within ten working days of receipt of the Adjus'bnent
Board's disposition under Step IV.
If the aggrieved employee elects final and binding resolution by the City Manager, the
City Manager wi 11 choose the methods he or she considers appropriate to review_ and
settle the grievance. The City Manager shall render a written decision to all parties
directly inv~lved within ten working days after receiving the employee's appeal.
If the aggrieved employee elects final and binding arbitration in accordance with this
provision, the parties shall mutually select an arbitrator. In the event the parties
cannot agree on an arbitrator, they shall mutually request a panel of five arbitrators
from the California State Conciliation Service, or from the American Arbitration Associa-
tion if either party obje<:ts to the State Conciliation Service, and select an arbitrator
by the alternate strike method.
The arbitrator shall have jurisdiction and authority only to 1nterpret 9 apply, or
detennine compliance with the provisions of this Memorandum of Agree11ent and such
Merit System Rules, regulations. policies, procedures, City ordinances, resolutions
relating to terms or conditions of 9'>1o,yment, wages or fringe benefits, as may
hereafter be in effect in the City insofar as may be necessary to the determination
of grievances appealed to the arbitrator. The arbitrator shall be without power to
make any decision:
1. Regarding matters of. interest.
2. Contrary to. or inconsistent with or modifying in any way, the tenns of this MemorandUlll of Agreement.
3. Gra11ting any wage increases or decreases.
MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT
Page Twenty·Four
Where either party seeks arbitration and the other party claims the matter is not
subject to the arbitration provisions of this Memorandum of Agreement, the issue
of arb1trability shall first be decided by the arbitrator using the standards and
criteria set forth in Article XX and without regard to the merits of the grievance.
If the issue is held to be arbitrable, the arbitration proceedings will be recessed
•..f" ••
for up to five working days during which the parties shall attempt to resolve the griev~
ancf. If no resolution is reached, the arbitrator will resume the hearing and hear and
reso 1 ve t'ie issue on the merits. ·
ARTICLE XXI -UNSATISFACTORY WORK OR CONDUCT ANO DISCIPLINARY ACTION
The City has the right to discipline, demote, or discharge employees for unsatisfactory
work or conduct.
Non-probationary employees whose work or conduct is unsatisfactory but not sufficiently
deficient to warrant discipline, demotion, or discharge will be given a written noti-
fication of unsatisfactory work or conduct and an opportunity to improve. Failure to
correct deficiencies and improve to meet standards may result in discipline, demotion 9 or discharge. · -
Notice of disciplinary action must be in writing and served on the employee in person
or by registered mail prior to the disciplinary action becoming effective. However, the
employee may be removed from pay status illlnediately pending such disciplinary action.
The notice must be filed on a timely basis with the Personnel Depat'tmeni; and included in
the employee's personnel file. The notice of disciplinary action shall include:
(a) Statement of the nature of the disciplinary action;
(b) Effective date of the action;
(c) Statement of the cause thereof;
(d) Statement in ordinary and concise language of the act or the omissions upon which
the causes are based; ·
(e) Statement advising the anployee of his/her right to appeal from such action,
and the right to Union representation.
If the disciplinary action consists of suspension. any suspension ti111e previously given
shall be credited to the final disciplinary action.
ARTICLE XXII -NO ABROGATION OF RIGHTS
The parties ackriowledge that Man~nt rights as indicated in Section 12070 of the
Merit Syi;,:t~ lb~~es and Regulations and all applicable State laws are neither abrogated
nor made subject to neqoti ation by adoption of this Memor~'ll of Agreement.
ARTICLE XX!II -OUTSIDE EMPLOYMENT
The provisions of Article 4.7 of the Government Code of the State of California will
govern the dete~inatfon of 1ncQllPat1ble outside eiaplO)Went.
.. " •: I -
MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT
Page Twenty-Five
ARTICLE XXIV -WORK STOPPAGE ANO LOCKOUTS
The City agrees that it will not lock out employees and the Union agrees that it will _
not engage in any concerted work stoppage or slowdown during the term of this Menorandum
of Agreement. An employee shall not have the right to recognize the picket line of a labor organization when perfonning duties of an emergency nature.
ARTICLE XXV -PROVISIONS OF THE-LAW
This Memorandum of Agreement is subject to all current and future applicable Feder~l
and State laws and Federal and State regulations and the Charter of the City of Palo
Alto and the Constitution of the State of California,
Should any of the provisions herein contained be rendered or declared invalid by reason
of any existing State or Federal legislation, such invalidation of such part or portion
of this Memorandum of Agreement shall not invalidate the remaining portions hereof and
they shall remain in full force and effect, insofar as such remaining portions are
severable. -
This Memorandum of Agreement shall become a part of the City of Palo Alto Merit Rules
and Regulations applying to employees assigned to classifications in the SEIU unit.
As applied to employees assigned to the SEIU unit, this Memorandum of Agreement shall
prevail over any conflicting Merit Rules and Regulations.
The City and the Union agree by signing this Menorandwn of Agl"eeinent that the wages,
hours, rights and working conditions contained herein shall be continued in full force
during the tenn of this Memorandum of Agreement except as other wise provided for in
the Memorandlln of Agreement and shall be binding on both the City and the Union upon
ratification by the Council of the City of Palo Alto and upon ratification by Union
membership.
ARTICLE XXVI -CLASSIFICATION STUDIES
Section 1. The City agrees to complete a study of casual classifications by October 1, 1975. The purpose of the study is to:
1. Review the City policy on the use of contract employees, part-time, casual,
and special employees and make recoomendations for policy improvements.
2. Inventory the f,f.-sit1ons affected by the pol icy and develop implementation
recOfllJlendations in time for fnclus1on in the 1976-77 budge~ proposals.
The study task fore~ will include one mutually agreeable casual employee.
No later than November 1. 1975 1 the City and the Union will meet to review the study
· findings and· reconr-!ndations. Any part-time or fut 1-time regular positions which
arise from this study which are the smne as or similar to classifications in the SEIU
unit will become part of the SEIU unit upon thetr inclusion in the budget.
MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT
Page Twenty-Six
:.• ..
Section 2. The City agrees to complete a classification study during the tenn of this
agreement which will include the Librarian professional and p~raprofessional ·series and
th~·water-Gas-Sewer lnstallatton and Repair series.
ARTICLE XXVII -RETIJRN TO WORK PROVISIONS
Section 1. The City shall not discriminate against any employee because of withholding
of services in support of the strike beginning July 1. 1975 and ending July 23, 1975.
This does not limit the right of the City to take criminal and/or disciplinary action
in cases involving individual criminal violations. The·City agrees that prior to
taking any action referred to above, it will inform and discuss the case with the Union.
Section 2. The Union shall not discriminate agains~ or take disciplinary action or levy
fines against any member or unit employee because of failure to withhold services during
the strike. The Union shall not be precluded from establishing its own rules with
respect to acquisition or retention of membership.
Section 3. Vacation accrual, sick leave accrual, and Annual Adjustment credit will not be received for pay periods during the strike during which no pay was received.
Section 4. Sick leave pay for June 18, 1975 will be paid to eligible employees who
present a bona .fide written doctor's verification of illness to the City Personnel
Office. Such statements will be subject to verification.
Grievances regarding sick pay for June 18, 1975 will be limited to disputes over verifi-
cation of doctor•s statements.
Section 5. Employees may apply for and receive vacation pay for accrued vacation taken
during the period of the strike so long as such vacation was scheduled and approved by
Management prior to June 17, 1975.
Vacation scheduled and approved by Management prior to the strike for a period following
the strike may be taken unless operational necessity requires rescheduling,
Section 6. The City Controller will make reasonable billing arrangements for employees
who owe premium balances on employee paid dental, life, or LTD programs for the period
of the strike. Such premiums must be paid by the employees according to the schedule.
The City wnl pay City contributions for medical, dental, LTD 1_ '.'nd 1 ife programs for
eligible and enrolled employees during the period of the strikt5,
Section 7. Employees are expected to report to work for the first scheduled shift
after membership rat1f1catior. of the agreement, but in no case later than the first
scheduled shift beginning after 12:00 midnight Sunday, July 27, 1975.
ARTICLE XXYIII -TERM
The tenn of this Memorandum of Agreement shall comnence on July 1, 1975 and shall expire
on March 31, 1977. except, however, either party may serve written notice upon the other
party during the period between ninety and sbty days prior to March 31, 197.7 of its
desire to amend th1s Manorandum of Agreement. If. at the time this Memorandum of Agree·
ment would otherwise terminate, the parties are negotiating a new Memorandum of Agree-
ment, upon mutua 1 agreenent the terms and conditions of this Memorandum of Agreement shall continue 1n effect. . · -
•.·
Executed: July 29, 1975
MEMORANOOM OF AGREEMENT
P.age Twenty-Seven
FOR LOCAL 715A, SEIU, AFL-CIO, CLC
.... .... e ft I . ': MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT
APPENDIX A
CLASS APPROXIMATE MONTHLY SALARY AT E-STEP
NUMBER TITLE 7/20/75
351 ADM ZONING 1769
701 ADKIN ASST 15ltlt
355 ANAL TRAFFIC HOVEMNT 1483
277 ANIMAL ATTENDENT 910
. 276 .AN I HAL CONTRQL OFF . 1048
333 ASSOC ENGINEER 1388
353 ASSOC PLANNER 1516
249 ASST STOREKEEPER 989
382 AUTO SERVICE HECH 1159
383 AUTO SERVICEPERSON 1097
242 BICYCLE TECHNICIAN 932
300 BLDG INSPECTOR 1452
373 BLDG HAINT PERSON-L 1353
30Je BLDG PLANS CHECKER . 1565
370 BLDG SERVICEPERSON 981
371 BLDG SERVICEPERSON-L 1048
21f6 BUYER 1388
536 CATHODIC TECH 1la05
408 CEMENT FINISHER 1180
·4o9 CEMENT FINISHER LEAD ·' 1267
502 CHEMIST \IClC 1s~n
537 CHIEF METERPERSON 1412
506 CHIEF OPER woe 1357
283 CHIEF PARK RANGER 1256
247 CHIEF STOREKEEPER . 1157
301 CITYORO COMP INSP 1350
279 CLINIC ASST 880
204 CNTRL/ACCT CLERK A 1029
205 CNTRL/ACCT CLERK 8 899
306 COHMUN TECH 1435
236 COMMUNICATOR 1170
237 COHMUNICATOR-LEAD 12lt9
226 COMP OPER·PROGRAMKER 121t6
227 COHPUTER OPER A 1'05
-e Pag~ Two •. f . ..
MEMORAMOUM OF AGREEMENT ' APPENDIX A
CLASS APPROXIMATE MONTHLY SALARY AT £-STEP
NtMBER TITLE 7/20/75
267 COORD REC PROGRAM 1435
272 COORD SR ADULT SVCS 1306
310 COST ESTIMATOR 1456
218 -CUST SERVICE CLERK 925
316 DESIGN TECH ELECT 1332
319 DESIGNER TECHNICIAN 1369
534 DRIVER GROUNDPERSON 1154
1100 DUMP TR~CK DRIVER 1079
307 ELEC SYS DISPATCHER 1457
302 ELEC UNDGRNO INSP 1471
3i5 ELECT MAP DRAFTSPERS 1189
533 ELECTRICAL ASST 1209
530 ELECTRICIAN 1405
535 . £LECTR IC I A. .. -l 1501
330 ENGINEER 1575
323 ENGINEERING ASST 1223
356 EMVlkONKENTAL SPEC 1657
396 EQUIPHENT OP 1157
374 FACILITIES CARPENTER 1267
375 FACILITIES ELECT 1267
376 FACILITIES KECH 1267
377 FACILITIES PAINTER 1267
212 FILE CLERK A 838
211 F~LE CLERK B 755
1'58 GANG MOWER OPER 1062
U9 &AS SYS FIELD REPAIR ·1197.
lt88 GASKETER REPAIR 1187
200 GENERAL CLERK A 994
201 GENERAL CLERK B 908
202 GENERAL CLERK C 838
lt59 GOLF COR MAINT ASST 1048
391t GRADER OPERATOR 1239
395 &RADER OPERATOR-L 1327
457 GREENS KEEPER 1261
lt52 GROUNDS KEEPER 1019
.... • " e
' " •MOORANDUM OF AGREEMENT ~age Three
'APPENDIX A
·CLASS 'APPROXIMATE MONTHLY SALARY AT E-STEP NUMBER I TITLE . 7/20/75
391 HEAVY EQP OPER-LEAD 1301
390 HEAVY EQUIP OP 1220
305 HOUSING INSPECTOR 1436
312 ILLUS/DRAFTSPERSON 1388
303 INSPECTOR-PW 1618
268 INST ARTS/CRAFTS 1272 I;
322 INSTRUHENTPERSON 1334
281t JR MUSEUM ZOO ATTD 1041
225 KEY PUNCH OP A 908
229. KEY PUNCH OP CHIEF 970
503 LABORATORY TECH WQ.C 1280
450 LANDSCAPE GARDNER 1107
lt10 LEAF TRUCK OPER 1093
222 . L.EGAL SECRETARY 1105
253 LIBRARIAN ASSISTANT 859
252 LIBRARIAN ASSOCIATE 925
·251 LIBRARIAN GENERAL 1159
532 LINEPER/CABLE SPL-L 1501
531 LINEPER/CABLE SPLICE 1405
213 HAIL CLERK . 778
505 HAINT MECH WQC 1211
314 HAP/CHART DRAFTSPERS 1209
393 MECH SWEEPER OP 1079
lt90 HECH UNIT REPAIR 1180
241 HETER READER 1057
381 MOTOR EQUIP MCH-LEAD 1353
380 MOTOR EQUIP MECH 1267
217 MTST OPERATOR 929
282 NATURALIST 1258
230 OFFSET DUPL HACH OP 963
397 Oil TRUCK OP 1105
398 OIL TRUCK OP-LEAD 1180
24lt OVERNIGHT PARK MONTR . 102?
lt51t PARK HA I NT ASST 994
e ,
MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT Page Four' . "' ,
Af!>ENDIX A
eLASS APPROXIMATE MONTHLY SALARY AT E·STEP
NUMBER -TITLE 7/20/75
1t51 PARK MAINTENANCE 1116
281 PARK RANGER 1133
21*3 PARKING HON ITOR 955
321 PARTY CHIEF 1464
352 PLANNER 1622
318 PLANNING DEV ANALYST -1336
207 POLICE CLERK A 994
208 POLICE CLERK B 908
209 POLICE CLERK C 838
210 POLICE DESK CLERK 994
271 PR+PROH COORD-ARTS 1386
203 PRIN CONTROL CLERK 1088
269 PRIN PROD-ART PROG 1386
332 PRINCIPAL ENGINEER 1922
350 PRINCIPAL PLANNER 1757
270 PRODUCER ARTS PROG 1272
232 PROGRAM ANALYST 1613
231 PROGRAMMER B 1348
"17 PUBLIC WORKS TRAINEE 752
311 PW DRAFTSPERSON 1126
. 703 REAL PROPERTY ASST 1222
"1 It . REFUSE DISP ATTED 1029
ltlS ROADSIDE HAINT PERS 1U12
416 SAF LIT + BARR SET 1048
220 SECRETARY A 1048
221 SECRETARY !3 970
lt12 SIGN FAB+TRAF PAINTER 1180
lt61 SPRINKLER SYS REPR 1135
504 SR MECH WQC 1357
538 ST LIGHT REPLACEMENT 1201
"405 ST HAINT ASST 994
399 ST HAINT TRUCK OP 1079
392 ST SWEEPER OP 1168
248 STOREKEEPER 1057
•r I e e ~ " MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT Page Five . . •
APPENDIX A •
CLASS APPROXIMATE MONTHLY SALARY AT E-STEP
·NUMBER TITLE 7120/75
256 SUPV CATALOGING 1301
257 SUPV CHILORENS LIB 1301
258 SUPV COLLEGE TERR LI 1301
317 SUPV DESIGN+DRAFT 1586
259 SUPV DOWNTOWN LIB 1301
266 SUPV GENERAL REC ·1397
260 SUPV LIBRARY CIRC 1150
254 SUPV HAIN LIBRARY 1410
255 SUPV MITCHELL PK LIB 1393
273 SUPV RECREATION 1175
491 TOOL ROOM ASST 1015
539 TRAF SIGN PAINT-LAKP 1085
406 TRAFFIC LANE PAINTER 1180
407 TRAFFIC LANE PTR-L 1267
435 TREE HAINT ASST 1020
434 TREE MAINT PERSON 1123
436 TREE SPRAY ASST 1064
lt30 TREE TRIM/LINE CLEAR 1178
1t31 TREE TRIH/LINE CLR-L 1261
lt33 TREE TRIH/HAINT HELP 994
. 432 TREE TRH/LN CLR ASST 1105
215 TYPIST CLERK B 833
223 UllL PLT ACCT SECTY 1105
492 UTILITIES TRAINEE 816
486 UTILITY SERVICEPERS 1237
278 VETERINARIAN AIDE 880
274 VOLUNTEER COORD 726
308 w+G TELEMETER TECH 1426
lt84 WATER HETER REPAIR 1187
lt60 WATER TRUCK OP 1168
lfBl WG~ INSTALL REP ASST 1079
483 WGS INSTALL REPR HEL 970
4~0 WGS INSTALL + REPAIR 1197
485 WTR METER EXCH PERS 1085
soo WTR QUAL CTL PLT OP 1211
507 WTR TRANSK OPER 981
508 WTR JAAN OP TRAINEE 1197 .