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The Committee proceeded to review each item of the Employer Response to 10/15/90 AFSCME <br />Union Proposal individually. <br /> <br />1) <br /> <br />Holidays: Proposal for additional 4.5 holidays declined by reason stated that the number of <br />holidays is comparable to similar size cities. Ms. McAloney added that the City of Ramsey <br />falls in the bottom one third of the Stanton Group Five Cities. Councilmember Peterson <br />asked if it would be possible to make a couple of the holidays the City already has as <br />floating holidays which would allow more flexibility. Mr. Nelson stated that the only <br />holidays that idea could work for is Columbus Day and Christmas Eve because of State <br />Law. He added that the City of Ramsey's number of holidays (10.5) are below the average <br />of 11 or 12. <br /> <br />2) <br /> <br />Vacation: Accrual increase request declined by reason stated that the City vacation schedule <br />is within market parameters. <br /> <br />3) <br /> <br />Sick Leave Conversion Request: Declined by reason that the City sick leave accrual and <br />benefit program is within market parameters. <br /> <br />4) <br /> <br />Health Insurance Contribution Increase: The employer proposes a health insurance <br />maximum of $215.00 per month (increased from $195.00) and proposes to make available <br />basic and supplemental life insurance, dental, and short-term disability. Councilmember <br />Peterson stated that they are trying to keep the City's contributions to all units even. Mr. <br />Nelson asked what would happen if AFSCME agrees to settle for $215.00 and then LELS <br />gets $230.00. Councilmember Peterson stated he really didn't know how to respond to <br />that question at this time. Councilmember Hardin added that if the dollar amounts are set <br />up, the employee is able to choose an insurance package that would best suit them <br />individually. Councilmember Peterson stated that in the process of negotiations with the <br />Police Department, they may decide to take one less holiday and add that amount to the <br />illstn'aBce, etc. <br /> <br />5) Part-time Insm'ance Request: Declined by reason of budget restraints. <br /> <br />6) <br /> <br />Dental Insurance: Request for employer contribution for dental insurance is added in the <br />allowance for Health Insurance Contribution. <br /> <br />7) <br /> <br />Lon g-term Disability: Request for employer-provided long-term disability declined reason <br />being this is related to sick leave accrual rates and costs and there is not justification for an <br />additional benefit in this area. <br /> <br />8) <br /> <br />Short-term Disability: Request for employer-provided short-term disability is added in the <br />allowance for Health Insurance Contribution. Upon inquiry, Ms. McAloney answered that <br />all the employees do not have to participate. <br /> <br />9) <br /> <br />Life Insurance: Request for employer contribution to life insurance is added in the <br />allowance for Health Insurance Contribution. Mr. Nelson informed the Committee that the <br />$5,000.00 level is low and that most Life Insurance amounts are between $10,000.00 and <br />$20,000.00. He added that AFSCME's proposal is to have life insurance separate from <br />health insurance for an amount of $20,000.00 term life. <br /> <br />10) Leave Provisions: Discussed with #11. <br /> <br />ll) <br /> <br />Pm'ental Leave: Request for paid leave is declined. The law states that six weeks must be <br />allowed; however, that does not mean it has to be a paid leave. Mr. Boos asked for <br />clarification on paid benefits with regard to leave and presented this scenario: An employee <br /> <br />Negotiating Committee/January 31, 1991 <br /> Page 2 of 6 <br /> <br /> <br />