City of Novato, CA
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Labor Relations Background
The City of Novato has four (4) recognized labor unions that represent approximately 195 employees. There are 40 employees that are non-represented and constitute three (3) additional groups and there is one (1) employee on employment contract. The City negotiates compensation and other aspects of employment for the members of these employee groups through the collective bargaining process. This process is governed by State law known as the Meyers-Milias-Brown Act or “MMBA” (California Government Code Section 3500, et seq.) Among other elements of the collective bargaining process, the MMBA sets forth requirements for:
- the duty to bargain in good faith on matters within the scope of representation;
- mandatory subjects of bargaining, including wages, hours and other employment terms and conditions;
- impasse and fact finding to resolve disputes.
This is a legally binding contract on the parties. The terms and conditions of employment and any modifications agreed to by the parties are set forth in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The duration of the MOU is anywhere from one year to several years in length, depending on what has been negotiated.
2023 Labor Negotiations Status
| 2023 Labor Negotiations Status | |
|---|---|
| Unit A - Novato Police Managers’ Association | New Contract Approved by Council on 6/27/2023 |
| Unit B - Novato Police Association | New Contract Approved by Council on 6/27/2023 |
| Unit D - SEIU General Employees | New Contract Approved by Council on 6/27/2023 |
| Unit E - Engineers | New Contract Approved by Council on 6/27/2023 |
| Unit F - Confidential Group | New Contract Approved by Council on 6/27/2023 |
| Unit G - Exempt Management Group | New Contract Approved by Council on 6/27/2023 |
| Unit H - Novato Police Civilian Employees’ Association | New Contract Approved by Council on 6/27/2023 |
The current four (4) MOUs and the resolutions for the three non-union groups are set to expire on June 30, 2023. The City Labor Negotiations team received authorization from the City Council in March 2023 to initiate labor negotiations with each group to discuss successor MOUs and resolutions.
The chart below identifies the City’s four (4) recognized bargaining units. It also identifies three (3) non-unionized groups of employees whose employment terms and conditions are negotiated through the MMBA process, but without a designated representative. The terms and conditions of their agreement is approved by City Council resolution rather than by a negotiated MOU. A copy of each fully executed MOU and City Council resolutions are available on the City's Collective Bargaining Agreements webpage.
| Bargaining Unit | Name | Classification | Status | Number of Members (as of 3/24/2023) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Novato Police Managers' Association | Captains, Lieutenants and Sergeants | Recognized and Represented | 14 |
| B | Novato Police Association | Police Officers and Corporals | Recognized and Represented | 42 |
| D | SEIU General Employees | Maintenance Workers, Office Assistants, Accounting Assistants, Recreation Supervisors and Coordinators, Planners, Building Inspectors, Code Enforcement Officers and others. | Recognized and Represented | 83 |
| E | Engineers | Professional Engineers and Public Works Inspectors | Not represented | 5 |
| F | Confidential Group | Management Analysts, HR Analysts, Executive Assistants | Not represented | 19 |
| G | Exempt Management Group | Department Heads, Division Managers | Not represented | 16 |
| H | Novato Police Civilian Employees Association | Dispatchers, Records Clerks | Recognized and Represented | 16 |
| Total | 195 |
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