4.4 SR 04-07-2025[ITEM_HEAD]
To
City Council
Meeting Date
April 7, 2025
Item Description
Collective Bargaining Agreement 25-03 -
International Union of Operating Engineers
(W.O.E.) Local #49
Request for Action
Item Number
4.4
Prepared By
Cal Fortner, City Administrator
Reviewed by
Cal Fortner
Lauren Wipper
Joe Stremcha
Tina Allard
Action Requested
Approve, by motion, a collective bargaining Agreement 25-03 with International Union of Operating Engineers
(I.O.U.E.) Local #49, public works employees.
Background/Discussion
The collective bargaining agreement between the City of Elk River and W.O.E. Local 49 expired on
December 31, 2024.
The union opened the contract for negotiations in November 2024. Following negotiations and mediation, the
city and union have agreed to terms on a three-year contract effective January I, 2025, through December 31,
2027.
The city negotiating team met with the Council twice in closed session to discuss the contract demands. The
final contract reflects the Council's consensus from those meetings.
Financial Impact
The tentative agreement is consistent with the contract parameters previously discussed with the City
Council and within the approved city budget for 2025.
Mission/Policy/Goal
EII< River Mission
Attachments
I . 2025-2027 Elk River Final TG
The Elk River Vision
A welcoming community, with revolutionary and spirited resourcefidnm, exceptional service, and community P� d W E R E D 0d
engagement that encourages and inspires pro249
sperityINPaU]
PP��a
between the
City of Elk River
-and-
International Union of Operating Engineers
Local No. 49
M
January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2027
Page 70 of 249
INDEX
Article Page
Article 1
Purpose of Agreement........................................................
I
Article 2
Recognition............................................................1
Article 3
Definitions..........................................................................1
Article 4
Employer Security..............................................................2.
Article 5
Employer Authority............................................................2
Article 6
Union Security
2
Article 7
Employee Rights — Grievance Procedure ..........................3
Article 8
Savings Clause....................................................................5
Article 9
Seniority..............................................................................5
Article 10
Layoff and Recall.............................................a,............,...6
Article 11
Discipline............................................................................7
Article 12
Work Schedules..................................................................8
Article13
Overtime.............................................................................
Article 14
Call Back.........................................................................
A
Article 15
Legal Defense.....................................................................9
Article 16
Probationary Periods...........................................................10
Article 17
Employee Development/Tuition Reimbursement ..............10
Article 18
Job Posting—, ........ — ......
I I
Article 19
Health and Life Insurance...................................................11
Article 20
Uniforms/Safety Clothing Allowance ........ ................. ......I
I
Article 21
Sick Leave.........................................................„. ,,...........12
Article22
Severance............................................................................12
Article 23
Bereavement.......................................................................12
Article 24
Vacation............—..............................................................13
Article 25
Compensatory Time Provisions..........................................14
Article26
Holidays.............................................................................14
Article 27
Mileage Allowance.............................................................14
Article 28
Leaves of Absence..... ..... ......... ......
15
Article29
On Call .................... .......... .............. ....................................
15
Article30
Waiver.................................................................................15
Article31
Safety..................................................................................15
Article32
Duration..............................................................................16
AppendixA- Wages.................................................................................17
Signatures...........................................................................18
Page 71 of 249
Labor Agreement
between
The City of Elk River
and
International Union of Operating Engineers,
Local No. 49
ARTICLE 1— PURPOSE OF AGREEMENT
This agreement is entered into between the City of Elk River, hereinafter called the employer, and
Local No. 49, International Union of Operating Engineers, hereinafter called the union. The intent
and purpose of this agreement is to:
1.1 Establish certain hours, wages, and other conditions of employment;
1.2 Establish procedures for the resolution of disputes concerning the interpretation and/or
application of this agreement;
1.3 Specify the full and complete understanding of the parties; and
1.4 Place in written form the parties' agreement upon terms and conditions of employment for the
duration of this agreement.
The employer and the union, through this agreement, continue their dedication to the highest quality
of public service. Both parties recognize this agreement as a pledge of this dedication.
ARTICLE 2 — RECOGNITION
The employer recognizes the union as the exclusive representative under Minnesota Statutes, Section
179A.03, Subd. 8 in an appropriate bargaining unit consisting of the following job classifications:
Facility Maintenance Technician
Custodian
Street Maintenance Operator II
Maintenance Mechanic
Park Maintenance Worker
In the event that the employer and the union are unable to agree as to the inclusion or exclusion of a
new or modified job class the issue shall be submitted to the Bureau of Mediation for determination.
ARTICLE 3 — DEFINITIONS
UNION MEMBER: A member of the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local No. 49.
EMPLOYEE: A member of the exclusively recognized bargaining unit.
STRIKE: Concerted action in failing to report for duty, the willful absence from one's position, the
stoppage of work, slowdown, or abstinence in whole or in part from the full, faithful and proper
performance of the duties of employment for the purpose of inducing, influencing, or coercing a
change in the conditions or compensation or the rights, privileges or obligations of employment.
BASE PAY RATE: The employee's hourly pay rate exclusive of any special allowances.
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ARTICLE 4 — EMPLOYER SECURITY
4.1 The union, its officers or agents, and the Employees covered by this agreement, agree that
during the life of this agreement it will not cause, encourage, participate in or support any
strike, slow down, other interruption of or interference with the normal functions of the
employer.
4.2 In the event that any employee violates this article, the union shall immediately notify any
such employee in writing to cease and desist from such action and shall instruct them to
immediately return to their normal duties. Any or all employees who violate any of the
provisions of this article may be discharged or otherwise disciplined.
4.3 The employer's failure to exercise any right, prerogative, or function hereby reserved to it, or
the employer's exercise of any such right, prerogative, or function in a particular way, shall
not be considered a waiver of the employer's right to exercise such right, prerogative, or
function or preclude it from exercising the same in some other way not in conflict with the
express provisions of this agreement.
ARTICLE 5 — EMPLOYER AUTHORITY
The employer retains the full and unrestricted right to operate and manage all manpower, facilities,
and equipment; to establish functions and programs; to set and amend budgets; to determine the
utilization of technology; to establish and modify the organizational structure; to select, direct, and
determine the number of personnel; to establish work schedules; and to perform any inherent
managerial function not specifically limited by this agreement.
5.1 Any term or condition of employment not specifically established or modified by this
agreement shall remain solely within the discretion of the employer to modify, establish or
eliminate.
5.2 Nothing in the agreement shall prohibit or restrict the right of the employer from
subcontracting work performed by employees covered by this agreement.
ARTICLE 6 — UNION SECURITY
In recognition of the union as the exclusive representative, the following shall apply:
6.1 The employer shall deduct from the wages of employees who authorize such a deduction in
writing an amount necessary to cover monthly union dues. Such monies shall be remitted
directly to the union monthly.
6.2 The union agrees to indemnify and hold the employer harmless against any and all claims,
suits, orders or judgments brought or issued against the city as a result of any action taken or
not taken by the city under the provisions of this article.
6.3 The union may designate three (3) employees within the bargaining unit as stewards and shall
notify the employer in writing of the employees so designated and of any change in that
position. Upon at least three days prior notification to the employer the stewards shall be
allowed time off duty with pay to attend negotiation sessions mutually scheduled by the union
and employer for the renewal of this agreement. If a designated steward is unable to attend,
the union may, upon written notice to the employer, designate an alternate steward. If the
required notices are not provided, the steward shall not be paid.
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6.4 One (1) designated steward shall be granted reasonable time off with pay in order to
investigate and/or present grievances to the employer during their normal working hours. Such
steward, however, shall not leave their workstation without first obtaining the permission of
their immediate supervisor and shall notify their immediate supervisor upon return to work.
The steward investigating and/or presenting the grievance may be the steward from any
division in the bargaining unit.
6.5 The employer agrees to make space available on the employer bulletin board for the posting
of official union notice(s) and announcements. The bulletin board shall not be used for posting
or distributing pamphlets of political or religious matter of any kind or for advertising. Under
no circumstances shall the use of the bulletin board conflict with the operation of the
employer.
6.6 The union shall request access to the premises of the employer at reasonable times and subject
to mutually agreed upon reasonable rules to investigate grievances and for other reasonable
purposes.
6.7 Failure of the union to execute an explicit right established under this agreement does not
waive such right.
ARTICLE 7 — EMPLOYEE RIGHTS — GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE
A grievance is defined as a dispute or disagreement as to the interpretation or application of the
specific terms and conditions of this agreement.
7.1 Union Re j septattive . The employer will recognize a representative designated by the union
as the grievance representative of the bargaining unit having the duties and responsibilities
established by this article. The union shall notify the employer, in writing, of the name of such
union representative and of their successor when so designated as provided by Section 6.4 of
this agreement.
7.2 Proces�ir�g ar( w�rievaa.nc . It is recognized and accepted by the union and the employer that the
processing of a grievance, as hereinafter provided, is limited by the job duties and
responsibilities of the employees and shall, therefore, be accomplished during normal working
hours only when consistent with such employee duties and responsibilities. The aggrieved
employee and a union representative shall be allowed a reasonable amount of time without
loss in pay when a grievance is investigated and presented to the employer during normal
working hours provided that the employee and the union representative have notified and
received the prior approval of the designated supervisor who has determined that such absence
is reasonable and would not be detrimental to the work programs of the employer. Permission
may be denied if it is determined by the employer that current work needs do not permit
interruption.
7.3 Procedure. Grievances, as defined by Section 7.1 shall be resolved in conformance with the
following procedure:
Step 1
An employee claiming a violation concerning the interpretation or application of this
agreement shall, within twelve (12) calendar days after the first occurrence of the event
constituting such alleged violation has occurred, sign and present such grievance in writing to
the employee's supervisor as designated by the employer. The supervisor must receive the
grievance. The supervisor will discuss the matter with the grievant and union representative
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and provide an answer in writing to such Step 1 grievance within twelve (12) calendar days
after receipt.
A grievance not resolved in Step 1 and appealed to Step 2 shall be placed in writing setting
forth the nature of the grievance, the facts on which it is based, the provision or provisions of
the agreement allegedly violated, the remedy requested, and shall be appealed to Step 2 within
twelve (12) calendar days after the supervisor's final answer in Step 1. Any grievance not
appealed in writing to Step 2 by the union within twelve (12) calendar days shall be considered
waived.
Step 2
If appealed to Step 2, the written grievance shall be presented by the union and discussed with
the employer -designated Step 2 representative. The employer -designated representative must
receive the grievance and shall respond to the Union in writing within twelve (12) calendar
days after receipt of such Step 2 grievance. A grievance not resolved in Step 2 may be
appealed to Step 3 within twelve (12) calendar days following the employer -designated
representative's final Step 2 answer. Any grievance not appealed in writing to Step 3 by the
union within twelve (12) calendar days shall be considered waived.
Step 3
If appealed, the written grievance shall be presented by the union and discussed with the
employer -designated Step 3 representative. The employer -designated representative shall
respond to the union in writing within twelve (12) calendar days after receipt of such Step 3
grievance. A grievance not resolved in Step 3 may be appealed to Step 4 within twelve (12)
calendar days following the employer -designated representative's final answer in Step 3. Any
grievance not appealed in writing to Step 4 by the union within twelve (12) calendar days shall
be considered waived.
Step 4
A grievance unresolved in Step 3 and appealed to Step 4 shall be submitted to the Minnesota
Bureau of Mediation Services for mediation or to arbitration within twelve (12) calendar days
following the employer -designated representative's final Step 3 answer. If the grievance is
submitted to mediation and is not resolved, it may be appealed to arbitration within twelve
(12) calendar days following the employer designated representative's final Step 4 answer. If
the parties are unable to agree on the selection of an arbitrator, the union shall request a list of
arbitrators be submitted to the parties by the Bureau of Mediation Services.
7.4 Arbitrator's Aut:lio rit
a. The arbitrator shall have no right to amend, modify, nullify, ignore add to, or subtract
from the terms and conditions of this agreement. The arbitrator shall consider and decide
only the specific issue (s) submitted in writing by the employer and the union and shall
have no authority to make a decision on any other issue not so submitted.
b. The arbitrator shall be without power to make decisions contrary to, or inconsistent with,
or modifying or varying in any way the application of laws, rules or regulations having
the force and effect of law. The arbitrator's decision shall be submitted in writing within
thirty (30) days following the close of the hearing or the submission of briefs by the
parties, whichever be later, unless the parties agree to an extension. The decision shall be
binding on both the employer and the union and shall be passed solely on the arbitrator's
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interpretation or application of the express terms of this agreement and to the facts of the
grievance presented.
c. The fees and expenses for the arbitrator's services and proceedings shall be borne equally
by the employer and the union, provided each party shall be responsible for compensating
its own representatives and witnesses. If either party desires a verbatim record of the
proceedings, it may cause such a record to be made, providing it pays for the record. If
both parties desire a verbatim record of the proceedings, the cost shall be shared equally.
7.5 Waiver
If a grievance does not comply with any of the procedural requirements set forth above, it
shall be considered "waived." If a grievance is not appealed in conformance with any of the
procedural requirements set forth above, it will be considered settled on the basis of the
employer's last answer. If the employer does not answer a grievance or an appeal thereof
within the specified time limits, the union may elect to treat the grievances as denied at that
step and immediately appeal the grievance to the next step. The time limit in each step may
be extended by mutual agreement of the employer and the union in each step. In addition, the
employer and union may mutually agree to extend the timelines and mediate the grievance
following the Step 3 final answer from the employer prior to appealing the matter to Step 4.
7.6 Choice of Remedy. It is specifically understood that any matters governed by statutory or
regulatory provisions, except as expressly provided for in the agreement, shall not be
considered grievances under this agreement. In the event that more than one procedure is
available for resolution of a dispute arising from any provisions covered by the agreement,
the aggrieved employee shall be limited to one procedure through which remedy may be
sought. If the aggrieved employee utilizes a procedure other than the grievance procedure
herein, then the employee is precluded from appealing under this procedure. If the employee
utilizes this procedure, then the employee is precluded from appealing under another
procedure. Employees may use both this grievance procedure and a statutory procedure to the
extent that it is required by state or federal law.
ARTICLE S — SAVINGS CLAUSE
This agreement is subject to the laws of the United States, the State of Minnesota, and the City of Elk
River. In the event any provision of the agreement shall be held to be contrary to law by a court of
competent jurisdiction or a state or federal administrative agency ruling from whose final judgment or
decree no appeal has been taken within the time provided, or is in violations of legislative or
administrative regulations, such provision shall be voided. All other provisions of this agreement shall
continue in full force and effect.
ARTICLE 9 — SENIORITY
Seniority shall be determined by the regular, full-time employee's length of continuous employment
with the employer.
9.1 Seniority will be the determining criterion for transfers, promotions, and lay-offs when all
other qualification factors are equal as determined by the employer.
9.2 The employer shall maintain a seniority list that shall be updated annually and posted in the
employee's work area by February 1, with a copy furnished to the business representative.
The names of all regular full-time members of the bargaining unit who have completed their
probationary period shall be listed on the seniority roster in the order of their seniority and
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shall show the date from which seniority commences and the employee's job title. An
employee or the union shall be obligated to notify the employer of any error in the seniority
list within thirty (30) calendar days of such posting. If no error is reported within this thirty
(30) calendar -day period, the list will stand correct as posted.
9.3 Employees who leave the bargaining unit for a non -bargaining unit position shall have their
seniority frozen at the level that existed at the time of their departure from a bargaining unit
classification and shall be credited with such seniority upon return to the bargaining unit if the
return is a result of a layoff or position termination; provided however, that such employee(s)
may not exercise such seniority to displace any current bargaining unit member. The
provisions of this article shall not apply to employees taking a voluntary demotion, or who
voluntarily leave city employment. Employees taking a voluntary demotion shall go to the
bottom of the seniority list.
9.4 A reduction of the workforce will be accomplished on the basis of inverse classification
seniority. Regular, full-time employees shall be recalled from layoff on the basis of
classification seniority. A qualified regular, full-time employee on layoff shall have an
opportunity to return to work within two (2) years of the time of his/her layoff before any new
employee is hired.
ARTICLE 10 — LAYOFF AND RECALL
If the employer should layoff an employee(s) for any reason, the following conditions shall apply:
a. The employer shall determine the position(s) in the class and employment condition and
work location which is to be eliminated provided employees in temporary or seasonal
positions in the same class are laid off before regular status employees.
b. Interruptions of employment mandated by the employer for less than fifteen (15) work
days or a temporary reduction in work hours mandated by the employer shall not be
considered a layoff under the provisions of this article. Should such interruption of
employment or temporary reduction in work hours occur they will be done on the basis of
inverse classification seniority.
Employees may be laid off by the employer to meet the needs of the employer. In the
event a layoff is necessary the work force shall be reduced based on best ability to perform
available work and work performance within the job classification as determined in the
employer's discretion following the employer's review of performance evaluations,
instances of counseling and discipline. If, in the employer's discretion, employees have
equal work performance, seniority will prevail.
10.1 Notice of layoff and recall. In the event of a permanent layoff, the employer shall give written
notification to the employee and the union, at least fourteen (14) calendar days prior to the
effective date of the layoff whenever practicable.
a. An employee on layoff shall be notified of recall by personal notice (receipted) or certified
mail (return receipt required) sent to the employee's last known address at least fourteen
(14) calendar days prior to the reporting date. The employee shall notify the employer by
certified mail (return receipt required) within five (5) calendar days of receipt of
notification of intent to return to work and shall report for work on the reporting date
specified by the employer unless other arrangements have been agreed to by the employer
in writing.
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b. It shall be the responsibility of the employee to keep the Human Resources Division
advised of their current mailing address.
10.2 Duration of recall lists. An employee shall remain on the appropriate recall list for a period
not to exceed two (2) calendar years from the date the layoff occurred. An employee who has
been laid off may be re-employed without examination in a vacant position of the same class.
10.3 Removal from recall lists. Employees shall be removed from all recall lists for any of the
following:
a. Recalled to a position in the employment status from which the employee was laid off.
b. Failure to accept recall to a position in the employment status from which the employee
was laid off.
c. Appointment to a regular status position in a class that is equal to or higher than the one
from which the employee was laid off.
d. Refusal or failure to accept recall for a position for which the employee on layoff is
qualified.
e. Resignation, retirement or termination from city employment.
ARTICLE 11— DISCIPLINE
For the purpose of this article, an employee shall be any employee having successfully completed the
employee's probationary period.
11.1 The employer will discipline employees only for just cause. Discipline will be in one or more
of the following forms: The employer retains the right to take any disciplinary action deemed
appropriate based upon the nature and severity of the infraction(s) and the conditions
surrounding the incident. The employer retains the sole discretion to determine what behavior
warrants disciplinary action and which action will be imposed. Disciplinary actions include,
but are not limited to:
• Oral reprimand;
• Written reprimand;
• Suspension;
• Demotion; or
• Discharge
11.2 Suspensions, demotions and discharges will be in written form.
11.3 Written reprimands, notices of suspension, and notices of discharge which are to become part
of an employee's personnel file shall be read and acknowledged by signature of the employee.
Employees and the union will receive a copy of such reprimands and/or notices.
11.4 Employees may examine their own personnel files in accordance with the Minnesota
Government Data Practices Act.
11.5 Employees will not be questioned concerning an investigation of disciplinary action unless
the employee has been given an opportunity to have a union representative present at such
questioning.
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11.6 Grievances relating to suspension or discharge shall be initiated by the union in Step 2 of the
grievance procedure under Article 7.
ARTICLE 12 — WORK SCHEDULES
The sole authority in work schedules is the employer. The normal workday shall be 7:00 a.m. to 3:30
p.m. for eight (8) hours. The normal work week shall be forty (40) hours Monday through Friday.
Nothing herein shall be construed as to a guarantee of hours of work per day or per week.
12.1 Public Service may require the establishment of regular shifts for some employees on a daily,
weekly, seasonal, or annual basis other than the normal workday. When practicable, the
employer will provide twenty-four (24) hours advance notice to employees affected schedule
changes.
12.2 In the event work is required because of unusual circumstances such as (but not limited to)
fire, flood, snow, sleet, or facility equipment malfunction advanced notice is not required.
Each employee has an obligation to work overtime or respond to call backs when requested
unless unusual circumstances prevent him/her from so working.
12.3 Departures from the Normal Work Schedule. Should it be necessary for the department to
temporarily establish work schedules departing from the normal work schedule, in other than
an emergency as defined in 12.2, notice of such change shall be given to the employee eight
(8) hours in advance when practicable.
12.4 Summer Work Schedule. During Daylight Savings Time, employees will work a Summer
Work Schedule consisting of four (4) nine (9) hour days Monday through Thursday, 7:00 a.m.
to 4:30 p.m., and a four (4) hour day, 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., on Friday.
An employee who uses sick leave, vacation, and compensatory time shall be charged nine (9)
hours during the Summer Work Schedule. Holiday and bereavement leave is credited at eight
(8) hours during this schedule. Employees shall use one (1) hour of vacation or compensatory
time to account for the nine (9) hour day or get supervisor approval to work one additional
hour during a holiday/bereavement week to complete their 40-hour work week.
12.5 All employees scheduled to work six or more hours per shift are required to take a half-hour,
unpaid meal break. Employees shall receive one (1) unpaid thirty (30) minute meal break near
the middle of their shift and one paid fifteen (15) minute a.m. break and one paid fifteen -
minute p.m. break per eight (8) or nine (9) hour shift. With the approval of their supervisor,
employees may combine break time with their unpaid meal break. Employees must take an
a.m. and a p.m. break of at least five (5) minutes each.
12.6 Fire calls during working hours. An employee will be allowed to respond to fire calls as
approved and determined by his/her department director, based on the work assignments and
responsibilities of the employee.
Employees responding to fire calls during regular work hours will be compensated at the same
rate as his/her regular city position with no additional firefighter pay compensation.
While off duty from his/her regular position and on vacation or compensatory time employees
will receive firefighter pay when responding.
12.7 Fire calls during non -work hours. Employees will receive their normal firefighter
compensation for fire calls and training that do not occur during the regular work hours of the
regular position.
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Application of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Employees will be paid overtime in
accordance with the FLSA. Actual time worked will be used for determining overtime
payment, with no consideration to the one -hour minimum call out pay provision for firefighter
pay. By advance mutual agreement, overtime earned for performance of fire department
activities may be paid at one and one-half times the employee's firefighter pay rate.
ARTICLE 13 — OVERTIME PAY
Hours worked in excess of forty (40) hours within a seven (7) day period will be compensated at one
and one-half (1 1/2) times the employee's regular base pay rate. Paid holidays, beiwtvetnent leave, vacation,
compensatory time, and sick leave shall be the only non -workdays with compensation considered for
purposes of computing overtime compensation. The Employer will not change the employees work
schedule for the sole purpose of avoiding overtime compensation.
13.1 Overtime will be distributed based on seniority. Each calendar year rotation begins again with
the most senior member.
13.2 Overtime shall be calculated to the nearest fifteen (15) minutes.
13.3 Employees performing emergency duties or mission critical snow removal on a weekend shall
be paid time and one-half for hours worked or take the hours earned in compensatory time in
accordance with Article 25 — Compensatory Time Provisions.
13.4 Overtime refused by an employee will, for recording purposes under Article 13.1, be
considered unpaid overtime worked.
13.5 For the purpose of computing overtime compensation, overtime hours worked shall not be
pyramided, compounded, or paid twice for the same hours worked.
13.6 Out of Class Pay. Any employee assigned to maintain a street plow route who does not operate
a snowplow truck as part of his/her regular position with the city shall be paid at pay grade
5N of the City Pay Plan for snow removal hours. Employees shall begin at step A and receive
a step increase at the beginning of each snow season that they are assigned to perform snow
plowing duties.
13.7 All overtime shall be either requested by the employer/supervisor or approved by the
employer/supervisor prior to the work being performed.
13.8 For snow events, with the approval of the department director, employees may end their
workday following the completion of their snow removal duties. Employees utilizing this
opportunity shall not use paid leave time to accumulate overtime for that shift.
ARTICLE 14 — CALL BACK
An employee called in for work at a time other than the employee's normal scheduled shift will be
compensated for a minimum of two (2) hours pay at one and one-half (1-1/2) times the employee's
base pay rate. Early report to work and extended shifts are not subject to the two (2) hour minimum
requirement.
ARTICLE 15 — LEGAL DEFENSE
15.1 Employees involved in litigation because of negligence, ignorance of laws, non -observance
of laws, or as a result of employee judgmental decision shall not receive legal defense by the
city.
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15.2 Any employee charged with a traffic violation, ordinance violation or criminal offense arising
from acts performed within the scope of employment, when such act is performed in good
faith and under direct order of the employee's supervisor shall be reimbursed for reasonable
attorney's fees and court costs actually incurred by such employee in defending against such
charge.
ARTICLE 16 — PROBATIONARY PERIODS
All newly hired, promoted, or rehired employees will serve a six (6) month probationary period. The
employer may extend this probation for an additional six (6) months.
16.1 At any time during the probationary period, a probationary employee may be terminated at
the sole discretion of the employer without such discharge being a violation of this agreement
and such termination is not a proper subject for Article 7 (Grievance Procedure).
16.2 Employees promoted or appointed to new positions must successfully complete a six-month
Probation Period. If found during the probation period to be unsuited for the position, the city
at its sole discretion, may reinstate the employee to his/her former position and former rate of
pay. Reinstatement is not guaranteed. If reinstatement results in the termination of another
employee, this shall not be considered a violation of any of the provisions of this agreement.
16.3 Employees may not take scheduled leaves during the probationary period unless pre -approved
by the city administrator or his/her designee.
ARTICLE 17 — EMPLOYEE DEVFLOP IENT / TUITION REIMBURSEMENT
Tuition reimbursement is available to regular, full-time employees for up to 75% of the tuition paid
by the employee, excluding scholarships and grants up to a maximum reimbursement of $3,000 per
year (based on the date reimbursement is paid) for accredited college or other classes directly related
to the employee's position with the city. To be eligible for reimbursement the following requirements
must be met:
a. Prior to class registration, a completed Tuition Reimbursement Request Form must be
signed and on file with Human Resources; and
b. The class must be part of a degree, certification, or licensure program and apply directly
to the employee's position or be required to complete an associate, bachelor's, master's or
doctorate degree in the field in which the employee works; and
c. The employee must successfully complete the class. If the grades are assigned, the
minimum grade required for reimbursement is a C; and
d. The reimbursement must be submitted within 60 days of class completion.
Books and other non -tuition fees (such as activity fees, technology fees, etc.) do not qualify for
reimbursement.
All classes must be taken on employee time and time spent on classes is not considered hours worked.
If any portion of the employee's class/ development activity is conducted during regular work hours,
the employee must take vacation or compensatory leave, an unpaid leave of absence, if approved, or
arrange for flexible scheduling, if approved by the department director.
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Classes taken to maintain good standing for licensure, affiliation, certification or credentialing as well
as work -related seminars and training are paid for through training funds which are budgeted each by
the City Council.
ARTICLE 18 — JOB POSTING
The parties presume employees have expectations for promotions and increased responsibility and
are expected to continue their training and professional development. Internal candidates are expected
to be prepared for promotion and job vacancies. Promotions and job vacancies will be filled based
upon expectation of promotion from within provided that the employer has the right of final decision
in the selection of employees to fill posted jobs based on qualifications, abilities, and experience.
Job vacancies within the designated bargaining unit will be posted for five (5) working days so that
members of the bargaining unit can be considered for such vacancies.
ARTICLE 19 — HEALTH AND LIFE INSURANCE
The employer shall make available the same group health and life insurance plans and contribute the
same premium amount as contributed for non -union employees.
ARTICLE 20 — UNIFORMS/ SAFETY CLOTHING ALLOWANCE
The allowance shall be paid in two equal installments. The first payment will be on the first full
January payroll and the second will be on the first full July payroll in each year. The city will
reimburse the employee for the cost of city logo embroidery. The annual uniform allowance shall be
used for the purchase of items listed in each respective City Uniform Policy to include protective
footwear. Employees must wear approved clothing every day. Clothing must be clean, free of stains,
and not tattered, torn, excessively worn or faded.
Streets, Parks, Equipment Services, and Building Maintenance (non -Custodial) employees shall
receive the following annual uniform allowance:
$683.00
Custodial employees shall receive the following annual uniform allowance:
$218.00
Newly hired Custodial employees shall receive an initial allowance of two hundred dollars ($200) at
date of hire and two hundred dollars ($200) following successful completion of probation for their
first year of employment.
20.1 Prescription Safety Eyewear. The city will provide one (1) complete pair of clear,
prescription, protective industrial safety eyewear every two (2) years or at the supervisor's
discretion due to prescription change or damage resulting from work -related hazards.
Clear lenses under this definition will also include lens tints in shades 1 or 2. Transition or
changeable tint lenses that meet 051 IA Standard 87Z are allowed.
Protective eyewear must comply with ANSI and OSHA -approved standards.
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All charges relating to eye examinations, optional frame styles, or lens treatments will be the
responsibility of the employee. The city will pay for basic protective prescription eyewear
lenses, standard frame with side shields, case, and dispensing fee.
Employees must utilize the vendor selected by the employer and follow the process required
by said vendor.
ARTICLE 21— SICK LEAVE
Regular full-time employees shall accrue sick leave at the rate of one eight (8) hour day of sick leave
per month, with no maximum accrual limit.
21.1 Unscheduled sick leave. A regular full-time employee shall notify their immediate supervisor
at least thirty (30) minutes before the start of the scheduled shift. If an emergency prevents
the employee from meeting this notice requirement, the employee must notify their supervisor
as soon as possible thereafter of his/her inability to report for duty. Employees are required to
keep their supervisor informed of their anticipated return to work.
21.2 Planned sick leave. Employees are required to provide written or electronic sick leave notice
to the Human Resources Division as soon as leave is anticipated.
21.3 The Employer may require of regular full time employees' proof of illness (doctor's note or
certification) for any use of sick leave. In cases of extended illness, regular full-time
employees shall notify the employer each week of their status in regard to his/ her return to
duty.
21.4 Eligible employees may use sick time only for the following reasons:
a. Personal illness or injury or in order to attend medical appointments.
b. To care for sick family members.
c. To accompany family members to medical appointments
d. Care for seriously ill family members who may not live with the employee will be
administered in accordance with state and federal law.
Safety Leave. Employees may use sick leave for reasonable absences to provide or receive
assistance because they, or a family member, is a victim of sexual assault, domestic abuse,
or stalking.
The provisions for the use of sick leave for family members are defined in state statute as well as in
the employer's Personnel Policy Manual.
ARTICLE 22 — SEVERANCE
Effective January 1, 2025, Employee's will receive Severance consistent with the city's Personnel
Policy Manual that became effective, August 5, 2024.
22.1 Employees will place 100% of their sick leave severance, as paid per this item, into their Post
Employment Health Care Savings Plan.
ARTICLE 23 — BEREAVEMENT LEAVE
Employees shall be eligible for Bereavement Leave consistent with the city Personnel Policy Manual,
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ARTICLE 24 — VACATION
Vacation Leave requests shall be made no fewer than 24 hours before the anticipated commencement
of leave or less with supervisor approval.
Vacation is accrued based on consecutive years of leave -eligible service. Employees hired before
January 1, 2022, may carry up to 240 hours of unused vacation forward from one year to the next.
Employees hired January 1, 2022, or after shall accrue 120 vacation hours per year at the start of
eligible employment through completion of their ninth (9th) year. These employees may not carry
more than 80 hours forward to the next calendar year but may carry more than 80 hours during a year.
Employees with fewer than eight (8) years of service as of January 1, 2022, may receive the new
accrual rate provided they accept and acknowledge the reduced annual carry over rate of 80 hours.
The request and acknowledgement shall be in writing.
Employees hired prior to January 1, 2022, shall remain under the following schedule and carry over
unless they are eligible for and elect to choose the new accrual plan:
Len otth of Service Accrual Rate
From start of employment through 88 working hours per year
completion of the 51h year
Beginning of the 6m year through 112 working hours per year
completion of the 71h year
Beginning of the 81h year through 120 working hours per year
completion of the 91h year
Beginning of the 1 oth year through 128 working hours per year
completion of the 11 th year
Beginning of the 12th year through 136 working hours per year
completion of the 131h year
Beginning of the 141h year through 144 working hours per year
completion of the 15th year
Beginning of the 16th year through 152 working hours per year
completion of the 171h year.
Beginning of the 181h year 160 working hours per year
Beginning of the 19th year 168 working hours per year
Beginning of the 20th year 176 working hours per year
Beginning of the 21 st year 184 working hours per year
Beginning of the 22"d year through 192 working hours per year
completion of the 241h year
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Beginning of the 25" year and thereafter 200 working hours per year
ARTICLE 25 — COMPENSATORY TIME PROVISIONS
Regular, full-time employees with prior mutual agreement with the supervisor may accumulate
compensatory time in lieu of overtime compensation at the rate of one and one half (1-1 /2) times the
overtime hours worked. Overtime hours not specified as compensatory time will be paid with
overtime compensation.
25.1 Employees may use compensatory time off with pay, subject to prior approval of the
employer. Requests shall be made no fewer than 24 hours before the anticipated
commencement of leave, or less with supervisor approval.
25.2 Employees may accumulate and "bank" up to seventy-five (75) hours of compensatory time.
As time is utilized, additional compensatory time may be banked not to exceed 75 hours.
25.3 All comp time, except time requested and approved to be used in December, shall be paid out
on the first pay day in December. Camp time to be used in December must be requested and
approved no later than the end of business on the Friday before the first pay day in December.
25.4 Employees may accrue compensatory time in the month of December of each calendar year.
Employee's total banked hours of compensatory time, excluding pre -approved December
compensatory time, off shall NOT exceed 40 hours. Compensatory time balances not
exceeding 40 hours may be carried over to the next calendar.
ARTICLE 26 — HOLIDAYS
Regular, full-time employees are eligible to receive eight (8) hours paid time off for each of the
following holidays.
1. New Year's Day 7. Veteran's Day
2. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 8. Thanksgiving Day
3. Presidents Day 9. Day after Thanksgiving Day
4. Memorial Day 10. Christmas Eve Day
5. Independence Day 11. Christmas Day
6. Labor Day
26.1 For employees working a Monday through Friday workweek, holidays occurring on
Saturday will be observed the preceding Friday and holidays occurring on Sunday will be
observed on the following Monday.
26.2 When a holiday falls during an employee's vacation or sick leave, the employee will not
be charged with vacation or sick leave for the holiday hours; the hours will be considered
holiday leave.
26.3 Employees called in to work on the actual holidays listed above shall receive one and one-
half the employee's regular rate of pay in addition to the holiday pay.
26.4 Emergency duties or mission critical snow removal shall be paid at two times the
employee's base rate for all hours worked on the actual holiday.
ARTICLE 27 — MILEAGE ALLOWANCE
The employer agrees to reimburse any employee required to use his/her own automobile per the
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mileage allowance policy in effect for all city employees.
ARTICLE 28 — LEAVES OF ABSENCE
Each employee will receive leave following the guidelines as set out by the Family Medical Leave
Act (FMLA).
ARTICLE 29 — ON CALL
Employees assigned to be on call shall be paid an additional one (1) hour of pay at the premium
rate of 1.5 times the employee's regular rate of pay per day Monday through Thursday, and two
(2) hours of pay at the premium rate of 1.5 times the employee's regular rate of pay per day Friday
through Sunday and Holidays when they are On Call. Hours paid at the premium rate to be on call
are not eligible to be accrued as compensatory time.
ARTICLE 30 — WAIVER
Any and all prior agreements, resolutions, policies, rules, and regulations regarding terms and
conditions of employment to the extent inconsistent with the provisions of this agreement are
hereby superseded. The parties mutually acknowledge that during the negotiations that resulted in
this agreement, each had the unlimited right and opportunity to make demands and proposals with
respect to any term or condition of employment not removed by law from bargaining. All
agreements and understandings arrived at by the parties are set forth in writing in this agreement
for the stipulated duration of this agreement. The employer and the union each voluntarily and
unqualifiedly waives the right, and agrees that the other shall not be obligated to meet and negotiate
regarding any and all terms and conditions of employment referred to or covered or not specifically
referred to or covered in this agreement even though such terms and/or conditions may or may not
have been within the knowledge or contemplation of either or both parties at the time this contract
was negotiated or executed.
ARTICLE 31— SAFETY
The union agrees to promote safe and healthful working conditions, to cooperate in safety matters
and to require employees to work in a safe manner.
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ARTICLE 32 — DURATION
This agreement shall be effective as of January 1, 2025, and shall remain in full force and effect
until December 31, 2027.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this agreement on this 3/ day of
rG►^r , 2025.
FOR THE CITY OF ELK RIVER:
Calvin Portner, City Administrator
John Dietz, Mayor
Tina Allard, City Clerk.
FOR I.U.O.E. LOCAL NO. 49:
Ry,u R Davies, Business Manager
Travis Gossard, Business Representative
Steward
4,Steard
StteN ar
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Appendix A- Wages
Current, eligible employees receiving a satisfactory rating on their performance review shall
move to the next step listed in Appendix A on their anniversary date.
- ------------------- _
Wages Effective 1-1-2025
i
MIN
... ...
B
C
- — — -----
D
MAX
4% Increase
. . .. ............. ...........
Maintenance Mechanic
$32.46
$34.49
$36.51 . . ................ -
$38.54 F
$40.57
. . ............................................ . . .
'fa �Iit Maintenance M�intq nc Jq!�hpician
,
$30.11
................ ........ .
$31.99
.......... ....... ................
$33.89
$35.75
................... .
$37.63
Park Maintenance Worker
Street Maintenance 0
...... ... ...perator 11 ..............
..............................
..... .......................
........
Custodian µ
$23.37
$25.32J$27.26
$29.21
Fp $_3 _1 .17
7/1/25 — Market adjustment lookback, no greater than 2%, to the average of our agreed
upon peer group for each classification. Street Maintenance Operator 11, Park
Maintenance Worker, and Facility Maintenance Technician will use the Street
Maintenance group as a comparable.
2026 — Amount provided to non -union employees or 2.75% increase, whichever is higher,
effective the first day of the pay period that includes I/1/26.
2027 — Amount provided to non -union employees or 2.75% increase, whichever is higher,
effective the first day of the pay period that includes I/l/27.
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Memorandum of Understanding
Between
The City of Elk River
And
The International Union of Operating Engineers, Local No. 49
WHEREAS, the City of Elk River ("City") and the International Union of Operating
Engineers, Local No. 49 ("Union") are parties to a Collective Bargaining Agreement
("Agreement") in effect from January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2027; and
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED AND STIPULATED that the parties mutually
agree as follows:
Upon union member request, the City and Union will meet and confer regarding personnel policy
changes.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this MOU on this.' ..-. day of March,
2025,
FOR THE CITY OF ELK RIVER:
Calvin Portner, City Administrator
John Dietz, Mayor
FOR I.U.O.E. LOCAL NO. 49:
-----------
Ryan lVtDavies, Business Manager
Tina Allard, City Clerk to
Steward
`9
S
. ...........
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