Member News
C.O.I.N.: Local 1775's Response
Local 1775 has taken an active role in responding to recent attacks on public employees in Marin, responding to a misguided Civil Grand Jury, relentless anti worker campaigns by Citizens For Sustainable Pension Plans, and and now suggestions that local agencies adopt so called "C.O.I.N." (Civic Openness in Negotiations) ordinances to dismantle your ability to collectively bargain for improved wages and working conditions.
Marin Professional Firefighters has delivered correspondence to the governing bodies listed in the Marin Civil Grand Jury Reports “The Need for Labor Transparency” (June 4, 2015) and “The Need for Labor Transparency – Part II” (June 17, 2015).
We are extremely concerned that if the governing bodies listed in the Grand Jury Reports were to implement the COIN Ordinances as recommended, that they would place themselves on unknown legal footing. We recognize the challenges facing Local Government and would sincerely like to avoid the unnecessary time, energy, and costs to the taxpayers associated with pursuing what could become an illegal action.
Currently, there are cases in front of the Public Employees Relations Board (PERB) that are awaiting final determination. Prudence suggests that all Marin Public Agencies refrain from beginning the process as suggested by the Marin Civil Grand Jury COIN until such time as an opinion is rendered. We also have legitimate concerns that the recommendations of the Grand Jury are essentially what are known as “unfunded mandates”.
There appears to be confusion and mixed messages being sent by the current Grand Jury in regards to costing and actuarial studies. In the Grand Jury Report titled “Pension Enhancements: A Case of Government Code and a Lack of Transparency” (April 16, 2015) it is noted several times that any and all changes go through a detailed actuarial process to evaluate the potential costs associated with changes, and that these changes explain the impact on the financial health and funding of the related accounts. The report shows concern that changes could impair local governments ability to fund other programs.
The current Grand Jury suggests that employers hire “independent Lead Negotiators” and “independent Auditors” but never once speaks to how these costs are budgeted, how the potential delays in the negotiations process will affect the budgeting process, and never once shows that they conducted any sort of cost-benefit analysis to these recommendations. There appears to be a double standard.
Until such times as the costs, impacts and legality of the Grand Jury’s recommendations are established, we strongly suggest that a “wait and see” approach is taken.
Please take the time to read a copy of the letter we sent to the employers of every Local 1775 member on your behalf.
