Tomorrow night city council will discuss serving a three-year notice to the fire department that they will be considering a contract with Cal Fire. You may be asking the same question I am – why did they just approve new contracts with the fire department, with a proviso that says we have to give them three years’ notice before we dump them? This is not a sincere move on the part of Scott Gruendl or Mark Sorensen, it’s election year pandering.
Look there it says, “recently completed negotiations…” meaning, weeks ago. Why did they go through with the contracts at all?
REPORT IN BRIEF: The City of Chico recently completed negotiations with its nine (9) bargaining groups. One
outstanding issue, pertaining specifically to the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), Local 2734, that
essentially binds the City, is Section 5.7, a contracting out provision. The City Manager believes this section
adversely affects the City’s ability to consider alternative service delivery options in order to evaluate the costs related
to salaries and benefits. Thus, in light of the City Council’s desire to treat all bargaining units respectfully and equitably
in future negotiations, the City Manager recommends that the City provide the attached notice of intent, which
becomes effective April 16, 2017.
Chico Taxpayers Association 
From what I understand, the action to be considered tomorrow night at the City Council is to get the Local 2734 union on the same terms as the other bargaining units, The City Manager just wants to get this particular union under similar terms as the other units, not necessarily change providers. Whether or not the city decides to look at other options for our fire protection services will have to wait until 2017, or shortly before this current conract expires. But at least getting this changed means, similar to the other bargaining units, there only needs to be a 1-year notice to change the agreement and not 3 years, which is adverse to the city’s bargaining position.
Thanks, I get it, but I’m wondering, why they gave them that three year provision in the first place. I don’t even know why they need a year. The contracts have a lifetime, they know when the contracts expire.
We’ll see how this blustering turns out. Sounds like election year bullshit to me.
Juanita, the fire union contracts are 5 years at a time, with a proviso that specifies 3 years warning if the city isn’t planning to do another 5 year contract. So they’re catching it early, and I think it’s a good thing.
I think it’s good thing, I just wonder, why so long to do it, and why now? Is it really going to happen, or is it just election year pandering? We have to keep an eye on it.
Juanita, please express your views on Action NEws KNVN KHSL media posts regarding the fire dept. and news about Mary Flynn Goloff. Are you endorsing Mary by not commenting? I don’t know…
You must be joking, I don’t know…