Published: June 25, 2009 10:54 pm         

City has approved local union contract

Enid City Commission approved a two-year contract with American Federation of State, Municipal and County Employees Local 1136 during a special meeting Thursday.

In general, the contract calls for an annual 3.5 percent salary increase for the next two years for all employees covered by the collective bargaining agreement. Also provided is a performance pay incentive for each year.

AFSCME members approved the contract Wednesday evening.

Among the rights the city retained are determining work policy; mission and operations; managing the affairs of the city in all aspects, including the right to contract existing and future work; assigning and determining work hours, including overtime; allocating and assigning work or duties to employees of the city; and managing and directing employees, including the right to hire, evaluate, assign, schedule, examine, classify, train, promote, transfer, furlough, layoff, discharge, suspend, demote and discipline

The discipline procedure and grievance procedures were clarified, and a labor-management committee was established. The committee will meet quarterly to discuss any operational matters, including how the two sides can work together to be more productive, better use equipment and increase productivity. City Manager Eric Benson said when the contract agreement was reached the quarterly meetings hopefully would reduce any need for grievances.

During Thursday’s meeting, commissioners also approved the purchase of two side-loading trash trucks. The purchase will complete the automated truck fleet for poly cart service in the city.

Public Works Director Jim McClain said three bids were received, and he recommended the bid of Rush Truck Center, of Oklahoma City, because the manufacturing company is in Fairview. Total bid was $380,000, which was the highest bid by about $2,000. McClain said the Rush Truck Center bid was a better bid because the Alley Gator trucks are superior in compacting capacity and manufacturing is only 35 miles away.

Also considered by the commission was the pursuit of Neighborhood Stabiliza-tion Program II funds under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

Andrie Winters, grant coordinator for the city, said the federal stimulus funds are available to stabilize neighborhoods whose viability has been damaged by the economic effects of properties that have been foreclosed or abandoned. The amount available is between $5 million and $8 million.