Council reviews memorandum of understanding on mandatory overtime for firefighters

City staff presented a draft memorandum of understanding with Firefighters Local 311 that sets out a process for involuntary (mandatory) overtime assignment for ambulance staffing. The item was introduced at the council meeting as a first read; no vote was taken. The chief described the proposed MOU as a framework developed with Local 311 and reviewed by the city attorney. Under the agreement, available overtime is first offered to full-time and LTE staff based on availability; if shifts remain unfilled, assignments would be made by a reverse seniority list that starts with the most recent hires and proceeds by year-to-date overtime hours and seniority. Employees would be able to use a pass (excusal) once before being required to accept an assignment; the pass rotates until all nine employees on the list have been offered relief. Council members asked whether mandatory overtime language already exists in the current agreement; the chief said there is no mandatory overtime clause in the current agreement and estimated the city had used mandatory assignment about 10–12 times since the chief’s tenure began. The chief said the practice is not frequent, adding that staff typically pick up needed overtime. The chief and council characterized the MOU as an internal personnel assignment mechanism rather than a budget change. The item was presented for first reading and will return to the council agenda for final consideration; members were invited to ask further questions of the chief before the next meeting.