01-17-1972 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

COMPENSATION REQUESTS - (Continued) days for the entire week, which makes a 56-hour week; that Santa Ana varies from that by what is known as the pay-back system where the fireman is required to pay back eight shifts during the year; and that this means they are required to work eight shifts more than would be required under a 56-hour week; that the word "pay-back" is in effect a vacation or holiday shift that was awarded that the man is required to pay back to the City. He stated that the Association is requesting the 2% at 5(]. Retirement Plan, which means the employee can retire at age 50 and the amount of pension would be 2% of his salary for each year of service; that this plan was first instituted by the Highway Patrol on a statewide basis for all sworn patrolmen; that under the present system in Santa Ana, a fireman may not retire until age 55 at 50% of his salary, and there are no widows[ or survivors' continuance benefits. He further stated that the meet and confer sessions should take place before the budget is adopted in July; and that an added problem this year was Federal government's freeze and ceiling on compensation; that the City is now in a better position than it would have been because it now has approximately six months of funds available that were not paid to the employees, lie stated that the average fire- man in Santa Ana works longer hours than his counterpart performing substantially the same kind of work; that in December, 1969, it was acknowledged that a reduction in hours would be accomplished in a 3 - 5 year period; that the Association offered to defer reduction for one year, but that the staff indicated they were reluctant to make any commitment at the present time. Mr. Silver stated that the Association has offered to defer implementation of retirement benefits as much as two years because they appreciate the city's fiscal problems, but again the City is negative; that the staff apparently does not see the gravity of the situation; that the men should be paid what they are worth; that Santa Ana has a first-class Fire Department--one of the best in the entire United States, and they should be rewarded; and he presented slides showing comparison figures in a 19-city survey. Councilman Patterson arrived at 10:00 P~ M. Mr. Silver stated that in order to place Santa Ana at the average in salary, hours, and retirement program, it is only necessary to spend approximately the same amount of money saved because of the freeze and the delay in starting negotiations; that they have shown a way where the reduction in hours could be accomplished at no cost to the City and in no way decrease the quality of services offered to the citizens; and that they have the people of Santa Ana behind them. He submitted approximately 400 letters, which Council received and ordered filed on motion of Councilman Herrin, seconded by Councilman Markel, and unanimously carried. Mr. Gary Olson, 2201 N. Raitt Street, stated he was present in support of the Police Benevolent Association; that there were many people here from the group but they had to leave because of the lateness of the hour; that they are requesting Council to investigate and analyze the problems as they exist today. Miss Donna Heishman, member of Glass Mountain Inn which is a club £or the disabled, stated that they hope to have a home where the handicapped can work and live; that the firemen have helped the organization with transportation; that without them they would have no way of getting to their meetings and activities; and that she hoped consideration would be given to a raise for the firemen. CITY COUNCIL 132- January 17, 1972