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Davenport commission tables salary changes amid uncertainty over union coverage and authority
Summary
The Davenport City Civil Rights Commission voted to table consideration of salary changes for commission positions until its August meeting while the director researches whether the city's union contract covers commission staff and what authority the commission retains to set pay.
The Davenport City Civil Rights Commission voted to table consideration of salary changes for commission positions until its August meeting while Director Lacey researches whether the city's collective bargaining agreement legally covers commission staff and how that affects the commission's authority to set pay.
Director Lacey told commissioners she has received salary-assessment data and emails from the city attorney and the union indicating the union will not consider the commission's request unless the commission submits an actual proposed salary range. She said the city attorney had told her he would review the commission's submissions with the union and return guidance; Lacey said she has not yet received a definitive answer and plans to do legal research into whether the commission's authority was delegated to the city in the past.
"They said they were not going to consider taking any action unless we give them an actual salary amount," Lacey said, summarizing the exchange with the city attorney and union. She warned that proposing salary ranges without clarity about implementation could expose the commission to legal or financial risk if the city did not implement approved changes.
Several commissioners urged caution. Commissioner Collins said the commission needs clarity on process and authority before setting salary ranges. Chairperson Guster and others said they want the commission, not the city, to remain the decision maker on commission personnel matters.
Commissioner Holland moved and Commissioner Board seconded to table the conversation on commission salaries until the commission's August meeting and to direct Director Lacey to research the legal history and return with recommendations. By voice vote the motion carried.
Lacey said she will provide documentation and an explanatory memo to commissioners one week before the August meeting so commissioners can review the research before deciding whether to set salary ranges.
