City Tries Skipping Bargaining Agreements with City Employees

After it was reported by the Star Press that city workers were given a 10% raise without an ordinance being enacted, an act which took effect on May 1st, Ordinance 12-24 was introduced for the increase to stay in line with city code. While negotiations for a new contract had been in the works since late last year, this action by Dan Ridenour and Craig Wright would allow Muncie to only provide the salary increase they offered without a new contract. Their use of the state code has violated city code, and the council expressed their displeasure over the news. President of AFSCME Local 3656 Nate Burgess advised the council to table the ordinance, stating that a full contract was needed rather than “bits and pieces” being granted.

While Mr. Wright cited Indiana Code 36-4-7-3 as justification for a city executive to change compensation of employees, he excluded Section B which states that changes are “subject to the approval of the city legislative body.” Mr. Wright was heckled from the back of the room when it was first brought up at the meeting that no new contract would be provided for city workers. Wright said that negotiations were yet to be made, yet also continued to press the council that him and Mayor Ridenour believed it’s what the employees deserved. Wright said “we did follow the code on that, we’re bringing it in front of you to pass. I mean, if you don’t want to pass the increases that’s… I mean you have the prerogative to do that as the city council.”

Council-member Nora Powell, referring to Nate Burgess: “I just want to make sure that you and your member understand that my objection to what happened in regards to the raise has nothing to do with the fact that you haven’t earned the raise, it’s that the city is not complying with city ordinance and their spending money that they haven’t been approved to spend. It has nothing to do with the fact that you are working very hard and have earned every penny of that, it’s more of a rule of law.”

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