Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Labor Relations topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves MOU limiting mandatory overtime for Sparks firefighters
Summary
After a public hearing, the council approved revisions to MOU (AC 6152) that limit forced overtime to once per pay period and allow three personal exemptions per employee every six months; union leaders said the changes address staffing fatigue and public-safety risks.
The Sparks City Council held a public hearing Oct. 28 and approved a negotiated revision to the memorandum of understanding (MOU AC 6152) between the City of Sparks and the International Association of Firefighters Local 731 addressing mandatory (forced) overtime.
HR Director Shauna Halterman summarized the negotiated language, which limits forced overtime to one instance per pay period per employee and allows three personal exemptions per employee every six months. Halterman said the revision was approved by the fire bargaining unit following negotiations.
Tom Dunn (vice president, Reno Firefighters Association) and Mike Sopa (vice president, Sparks Firefighters Local 731) spoke during public comment and credited collaborative negotiation while noting that the issue stems from staffing shortages that previously required arbitration. Sopa and Dunn argued that limiting forced overtime is a public-safety issue because chronic fatigue increases health risks for firefighters and can affect performance.
Member Rodriguez moved to approve the MOU language; Member Bibi seconded, and the motion passed unanimously with those present.
The council noted the agreement as a step toward protecting firefighter health and sustaining operations while broader staffing and budget solutions continue to be pursued.
