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Norwalk council adopts 9-step salary schedule and employment terms after impasse procedures
Summary
The City Council on March 17 adopted Resolutions 26-15 and 26-16, implementing a 9-step salary schedule and terms & conditions of employment described by staff as the city's last, best and final offer; staff estimated the first-year implementation cost at about $448,109 and higher recurring costs thereafter.
The Norwalk City Council voted March 17 to adopt two resolutions implementing a new nine-step salary schedule and associated employment terms after the city completed required impasse procedures with the Norwalk City Employees Association.
Human resources/administrative staff member Ozzie Ramos presented the background on negotiations, noting the memorandum of understanding had expired and the city and union reached impasse despite 19 meetings and fact-finding procedures. Ramos referenced a publicly released fact-finding report and explained that the city may lawfully unilaterally implement its last best and final offer after completing required procedures.
Ramos said the 9-step structure is intended to address pay compression and bring employees to market rates. "Bringing our employees to market is gonna cost us about $448,109 the first year," he said, noting a larger fiscal impact in the following year as step advances apply. Staff recommended adopting Resolution 26-15 (terms and conditions) and Resolution 26-16 (9-step salary schedule) while continuing negotiations on unresolved issues such as COLA and medical costs.
Council moved and seconded the items and approved both resolutions by roll call. Staff said implementation would take effect at the start of the pay period on March 29, with paychecks reflecting the increase on April 17.
The city noted the action does not end union rights or further bargaining; it implements the city's final proposal after mediation and fact finding and establishes a new pay structure for future negotiations.
