04/16/1996 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Council Minutes of 4/16/96 .;,z~ grievance procedure. The Finance Director issued a memo stating hardware was scheduled to arrive in September and would be in place shortly thereafter. Immediately following the memo, the firefighters again withdrew without prejudice. On November 7, 1995, the grievance was reopened and a hearing was held by the Safety Director. The Finance Director indicated there was one remaining part to be purchased with installation possibly sometime in January, 1996. On November 25, the firefighters requested a hearing at the next grievance step, and the issue is now set for arbitration. The firefighters feel they have attempted to resolve the issue without going to the expense and time of arbitration. It is not Mr. Power's intent or desire to have the city spend money on a grievance arbitration, but he feels it is important that Council be aware that these types of issues are being prolonged for, he believes, no reason. Commenting on the direct deposit issue, Mr. Limpert asked why this was so difficult since it is a widely used practice by many companies. Law Director Gareau said he was at a loss to answer the question as he has done everything he can to resolve the issue. If this does go to arbitration, he will discuss whether direct deposit is a grievabce issue and whether it is or is not a benefit. He further commented that the last time the Finance Director had discussed this with Council he indicated that the Federal Reserve was involved and, if direct deposit was instituted, employees would not receive their money until the Tuesday after a Friday payday. Mr. Limpert asked if this would have an adverse affect on union contracts. Mr. Gareau replied it would not because direct deposit is not covered in any union contract. The firefighters are claiming they are entitled to it because it was a past practice--a benefit. Also commenting on the issue, Safety Director Kasler said she would agree with what Mr. Gareau had said. She, too, has been attempting to assist in resolving this issue before it got to the arbitration step. Late this afternoon, she met with the data processing specialist and had intended to pass the information to Mr. Power. Basically, Mr. Gareau's statement about a delay in posting paychecks is correct. However, the time delay for employees receiving their paychecks maybe even longer than stated--possibly a delay of two to four days. Without some major change to the payroll system, which also affects P.E.RS. and the way that is reported and a number of other problems with technology, that would be the only way we could reinstitute direct deposit. Mr. McKay asked what the old method of direct deposit was and why it could not be used. Mayor Boyle explained that originally direct deposit was only available through one bank, National City, and they basically did the city a favor by accepting as their input a list of names and accounts. Eventually, it became too much of a burden on the bank and they requested the input through electronic media. The city cannot supply the information with our present payroll program Mayor Boyle said he would set up a meeting with Gary Hannum, the city data processing specialist, and Council to discuss possible solutions to this problem. Ernest Cummings, 5904 Stearns Road, a school system employee who has direct deposit, suggested that the school system might be able to provide the city with information on their payroll program. ~., 4