Hardee County & IAFF Local 3471 Contract Flashcards

Flashcards based on Hardee County and IAFF Local 3471 contract notes for exam preparation.

Who are the parties involved in the agreement?

Hardee County Board of County Commissioners and Hardee County Professional Firefighters Association, I.A.F.F. Local #3471.

Who does the County recognize as the exclusive bargaining representative?

Regular paid employees in the unit certified by the Public employees Relations Commission in Case No. RC-93-010 and RC-93-068.

How can the agreement be modified, altered, changed, or amended?

Mutual agreement in writing signed by authorized representatives of both parties.

What takes precedence when inconsistent with the agreement?

Federal or state law or county ordinances and regulations.

How are business days defined in the agreement?

Monday through Friday, with the exception of County approved holidays.

What will the Employer deduct twice each month?

Deduct Union dues from the paychecks of those Unit employees who authorize such deduction in writing.

How can a member stop payroll deduction of Union dues?

By giving written notice to the Public Employer and the Union.

Who will indemnify, defend, and hold the County harmless against any claims arising from payroll deductions of Union dues?

The Union.

Who should the Union notify in writing of the names of its representatives?

The County Manager and the Fire Chief.

What activities are strictly prohibited by law and the agreement regarding Union activities?

Soliciting any of the employer's employees, for Union purposes, during the work time of any employee involved, and from distributing Union literature in any work area at any time.

Who retains the sole right to manage its operations and direct the work force, except as expressly provided otherwise in this Agreement?

The County.

What happens prior to the County implementing any decision coming within its management rights?

The Union will be notified in writing, in advance of changes and upon request be given the opportunity to bargain over the impact.

What happens to the agreement during a declared civil emergency condition?

The provisions of this Agreement may be suspended by the County Manager and/or the County Commission during the time of the declared emergency, except for monetary provisions.

What are the rules around using County/Private Vehicles?

Employees shall use County vehicles unless approval to use another vehicle, including their own, is first obtained from the Chief, his designee, or their assigned Lieutenant.

Who is responsible for routine vehicle maintenance?

Employees shall continue to perform routine vehicle maintenance in accordance with the County's past practice or as otherwise assigned.

How is a grievance defined?

An alleged violation or a dispute between the Employer and any Employee regarding the interpretation or application of the specified terms of this Agreement.

Who shall have the right to require unit employees to divulge information or knowledge concerning any aspect of the employment relationship?

The County.

Who has the burden of proving its grievance by a preponderance of the evidence?

The Union.

What are the forms of disciplinary action the County recognizes?

Documented verbal warning, written reprimand, suspension without pay, demotion, probation, or discharge for cause.

What activities are prohibited regarding labor disputes during the agreement?

No strikes, work stoppages, picket lines, slowdown boycotts, or concerted failure or refusal to perform assigned work by the employees or the Union, and there will be no lockouts by the County for the duration of this Agreement.

What are the three types of seniority defined in the agreement?

Classification Seniority, County Seniority, and Departmental Seniority.

Under what circumstances does an employee lose seniority?

Discharge, Retirement, Voluntary resignation, Layoff exceeding one (1) year, and Failure to report to the Department Head the intention to return to work within three (3) calendar days of receipt of a recall notice.

What happens to regular full employees who have not been laid off for more than twelve (12) months?

They may be eligible for recall.

Who shall consider all timely bids for a station assignment vacancy and award the assignment to the senior qualified bidder in the classification no later than five (5) business days after the last day to bid the vacancy?

The Chief.

Who shall make the final decision as to which employee, if any, will be promoted to fill the vacancy?

The County Manager, or his designee.

During the probationary period, in consultation with managerial staff, who decides if the employee can satisfactorily perform the duties of the higher position?

The Chief.

During a primary or general election, an employee who is registered to vote in that election whose hours of work do not allow sufficient time for voting shall be allowed what?

The necessary time off with pay for this purpose.

What is the regular work period as per the agreement?

One hundred and six (106) hours in a fourteen (14) day period as allowed by Section 7(K) of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

What is Comp time limited to?

112 hours.

When does the Fire Chief or his designee send out notice for the holiday bidding cycle for the next calendar year?

October 1st of each year.

Are employees responsible for uniform cleaning?

Apparel provided should be clean and the employee shall be responsible for the care and cleaning of the uniforms in his custody.

Who performs pest control services for the station?

The County shall use licensed or county trained personnel to perform monthly pest control services for the station.

Under which circumstances will the County pay for the tuition and books?

Educational courses, seminars or training programs that the county requires.

Employees who hold a slot which requires dual certification as both a Firefighter and EMT/or/Paramedic shall continue to be covered by which Pension Program?

Florida State High Risk Pension Program.

What COLAs for Years 2 and 3 will each employee receive?

Effective for the first full pay period after October 1, 2025, each employee will receive a cost of living increase of two percent (2%).

What is the minimum wage increase assigned to Inspectors and Instructors?

The minimum increase shall be seven percent (7%) of the employee's regular rate and shall be paid only while the employee is performing the special assignment.

What is the purpose of the Safety Committee?

To review and analyze work related safety concerns, accidents, deaths, injuries, and illnesses.

What is the primary goal of county's Wellness/Fitness program?

To support a healthy workforce, the Union and County commit to developing and implementing non-disciplinary Wellness and Fitness Program.

When does this contract go into effect?

Upon ratification by the Board of County Commissioners and the bargaining unit and continue in force and effect until midnight September 30, 2027.