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I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />,, <br /> <br />I <br />I <br /> <br />I <br />i <br />! <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />i <br />I <br /> <br />Case//7: Temporary Out of Class Pay for Police Technician <br /> <br />Police Chief Gustafson stated that Police Records Manager Arlene Stafford began a nine-week <br />absence from work, effective January 6, 2000. During that period, the two remaining office <br />employees will be expected to maintain the operation of the Police office, to include performing <br />any tasks normally assigned to the Police Records Manager. Police Technician Linda Aaseby <br />has been assigned the responsibility of overseeing office operations until the Records Manager <br />returns, meaning that she will be overseeing work not normally done by her. While there is no <br />specific language in the labor agreement addressing out of class pay, there is ample past practice <br />in Ramsey to support it in this case. Technician Aaseby's current annual salary is $29,329, and <br />starting salary for the Records Manager position is $31,054.00. Chief Gustafson recommended <br />awarding out of class pay to the Records Technician in the amount of the annualized starting <br />salary of the Records Manager position until the Records Manager returns to work. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec expressed concern with the position being part of a union and that Ms. Aaseby <br />will be filling in for four weeks while Ms. Stafford is on vacation and it has not been standard <br />practice to fill a position while another employee is on vacation only when an employee is being <br />replaced. He inquired if allowing the out of class pay will cause any problem with the union <br />contract. <br /> <br />Police Chief Gustafson replied that past practice of a City can prevail if an issue is brought up <br />regarding a union contract. He also noted that anything not specifically addressed in the union <br />contract, the employer has the choice to make a decision. <br /> <br />Motion by Mayor Gamec, seconded by Councilmember Anderson, to direct Police Chief <br />Gustafson and City Administrator Norman to review the issue of temporary out of class pay in <br />regards to the union contract. <br /> <br />Further discussion: Police Chief Gustafson stated that there is no language in the union contract <br />regarding out of class pay which means there should be no reason for a grievance. Mayor Gamec <br />replied that he would be more comfortable if the contract was reviewed. Councilmember <br />Connolly noted that her concern is if they grant out of class pay to cover an employee on <br />vacation it may impact future vacation situations. Police Chief Gustafson replied that the <br />employee has been directed by him to perform work that she currently does not do and should be <br />compensated. Councilmember Connolly stated that she does not want to get into a situation <br />where the City has to pay increased wages when another employee is on vacation for one week <br />or even a day. Councilmember Hendriksen stated that that City could get to a point where people <br />in the same grade request more money if they are required to fill duties while another employee <br />is on vacation for any length of time. City Administrator Norman suggested reviewing the issue <br />further and maybe not initiating the out of class pay until Ms. Stafford's vacation runs out and is <br />on leave of absence. Councilmember Hendriksen replied that it should be addressed on more of <br />a long-term absence basis rather than a vacation of un-paid leave situation. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec withdrew his motion. <br /> <br />Personnel Committee/January 11, 2000 <br /> Page 5 of 6 <br /> <br /> <br />