City Council approves memorandum of understanding between the City and employees

City of Winters staff Human Resources Manager Crystal Zaragoza and Director of Financial Management Shelly Gunby presented the recommendations for updates to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Salary Schedule Resolutions for City employees at the City Council meeting held on Tuesday, July 2. The current MOU expired in September of 2017, but those terms continued up to the point that the new MOU was adopted. The proposed two year contract would be effective from July 1 this year to June 30, 2021.  The staff recommended a 5 percent Cost-of-Living-Adjustment (COLA), effective on July 1, as the city employees did not receive a COLA in 2018. They also recommend a COLA of 2.5 percent effective July 2020. Because of the employee’s lack of COLA in 2018, this averages out to a 2.5 percent COLA over three years. The current MOU sevres to clarify language and bring more equity in benefits offered across various bargaining units. Changes to the previous MOUs include more clarity in the language about vacation leave and and increase in paid life insurance for miscellaneous and mid-management associates.  The fiscal impact of the new MOU in the 2019-2020 fiscal year will entail an increased cost of $37,568.75 over what was budgeted for the year and a General Fund increase of $10,838.44. Looking forward, the increased cost for the 2020-2021 fiscal year of $193,399.46 will be included in the budget. The General Fund increase in cost will be $110,476.56.]]>