4.2. ERMUSR 12-13-2011 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Elk River: Municipal U 13069 Orono Parkway Elk River, MN 55330 UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING pONENEB B1 ~~~~~~ P _~ycp c D T O $ E0.V E phone: 763.441.2020 Fax: 763.441.8099 TO: FROM: Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission Troy Adams, P.E. -Utilities Director John Dietz -Chair Daryl Thompson -Vice Chair Al Nadeau -Trustee MEETING DATE: AGENDA ITEM NUMBER: December 13, 2011 4.2 SUBJECT: 2012 Wa e and Benefits BACKGROUND: At the recommendation of staff during the October 2011 Utilities Commission meeting, the Commission formed a Wage and Benefits Committee. The Utilities Commission created the committee to be comprised of one Commissioner, John Dietz -Utilities Chair, and three Utilities managers, Troy Adams -Utilities Director, Theresa Slominski -Finance and Office Manager, and Mark Fuchs -Electric Superintendent. The intent for the creation was to have the committee review and analyze wage and benefits information, receive comments and questions from employees relating to wage and benefits, function as a forum for discussion, and ultimately present wage and benefit information to the Utilities Commission. The Wage and Benefits Committee would not have authority to award or change wages or benefits; this authority is that of the Utilities Commission. On October 26, November 2, and November 30, the Committee met to review wage and benefit information. DISCUSSION: Of the topics discussed, the Committee agreed to bring the following compensation items to the Commission for their review and consideration: Waves Because of the timing on wage negotiations for many of the metro utilities used in the metro- average survey, the information used includes many estimates. The survey was updated in early December to reflect the most current information for the utilities used in the metro- average survey. The results from the survey indicate that the ERMU Journeyman Lineworker position will be 7.15% below the average and 13.36% below the top. These survey numbers indicate that without any increase in wage the ERMU Journeyman Lineworker position will be the lowest paid on the survey. To not lose ground with the metro-average trend, the ERMU Journeyman Lineworker position would need an increase of 2.30%. By comparison, an increase of 2.43% would be needed to meet the average of the municipal utilities in the survey and an increase of 4.15% would be needed to meet the top