DATE: March 26, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM: Human Resources Department
TITLE: RESOLUTION APPROVING AND IMPLEMENTING THE MEMORADUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CITY OF OCEANSIDE AND THE OCEANSIDE FIREFIGHTERS’ ASSOCIATION (OFA)
RECOMMENDATION
title
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution approving and implementing the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Oceanside and the Oceanside Firefighters’ Association (OFA) effective April 1, 2025, through December 31, 2027.
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BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
The OFA represents a total of 109 individuals actively employed in the classifications of Assistant Fire Marshal, Fire Safety Specialist, Firefighter/Paramedic, Fire Engineer and Fire Captain. The current Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City and the OFA is set to expire on March 31, 2025. As such, the City’s negotiating team and OFA representatives met and conferred on a successor contract beginning in January 2025. Over the course of the last few months, the parties met and conferred in good faith and reach a tentative agreement on the terms and conditions of a successor MOU on March 13, 2025. The OFA membership held a ratification vote and elected by a majority vote to approve the revised terms and conditions of the successor agreement.
The proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) would be effective April 1, 2025 through December 31, 2027, and includes compensation and contract language modifications as directed by the City Council.
The key economic issues in the agreement include:
1. Article VI (Salary):
1. Effective the first full pay period in July 2025:
• Firefighter/Paramedic - 4%
• Fire Safety Specialist - 4%
• Fire Engineer - 4%
• Fire Captain - 4%
• Assistant Fire Marshal - 4%
2. Effective the first full pay period in July 2026:
• Firefighter/Paramedic - 3%
• Fire Safety Specialist - 3%
• Fire Engineer - 4%
• Fire Captain - 5%
• Assistant Fire Marshal - 3%
3. Effective the first full pay period in July 2027:
• Firefighter/Paramedic - 3%
• Fire Safety Specialist - 3%
• Fire Engineer - 3%
• Fire Captain - 3%
• Assistant Fire Marshal - 3%
3. Article VI (Salaries & Compensation), Section 6.02 (Health Benefits):
Effective July 2025, the City’s total contribution towards health insurance (i.e., applied towards medical, dental and vision only) shall be:
|
Cap (Based on Medical Selection) |
EE Only |
EE+1 |
EE+ Family |
|
Kaiser Plans |
875 |
1,500 |
1,925 |
|
Blue Shield Plans |
1,000 |
1,725 |
2,200 |
4. Article VI (Salaries & Compensation), Section 6.03 (Retiree Medical Trust Fund):
Effective the first full pay period in April 2025, the City’s bi-weekly contribution towards the Retiree Medical Trust Fund shall increase from $75 to $100.
5. Article VI (Salaries & Compensation), Section 6.05 (Uniform Allowance):
Effective August 2025, the uniform allowance shall be increased from $775 to $1,000.
6. Article IV (Standby Time)
Effective the first full pay period in April 2025, the standby pay for fire prevention staff shall be modified from $20 per day to one hour of straight time per day.
7. Article V (Attendance & Leaves), Section 5.04 (Holidays)
Incorporate the language changes reflected in the February 22, 2024 Side Letter.
FISCAL IMPACT
Ongoing Costs:
Fiscal Year 2024-25 $ 20,485
Fiscal Year 2025-26 1,766,420
Fiscal Year 2026-27 1,044,252
Fiscal Year 2027-28 843,258
Total Agreement (Net New) Ongoing Costs: $ 3,674,415
COMMISSION OR COMMITTEE REPORT
Does not apply.
CITY ATTORNEY’S ANALYSIS
The referenced documents have been reviewed by the City Attorney and approved as to form.
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Prepared by: Robert O’Brien, Deputy City Manager
Reviewed by: Jill Moya, Financial Services Director
Submitted by: Jonathan Borrego, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Staff Report
2. MOU
3. Resolution