2019 - 2023 SCLEAMemorandum of Understanding: Article 34: Full Understanding, Modification, Acknowledgment

Sonoma County Law Enforcement Association

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34.1 Full Understanding

This Memorandum of Understanding sets forth the full and entire understanding of the parties regarding the matters set forth herein.

All other prior or existing understandings or agreements by the parties, whether formal or informal, regarding any such matters are hereby superseded or terminated in their entirety.

34.2 Acknowledgment

Except as provided herein, it is agreed and understood that the parties have met and conferred in accordance with their obligations under State law and the County’s Employee Relations Policy in reaching this agreement and neither party shall be obligated to meet and confer over any provision of this agreement during its term.

34.3 Meet and Confer During Term of Memorandum

If the County proposes during the term of this Memorandum to adopt a policy or course of action on matters within the scope of representation as defined by State law that are not covered by this Agreement, it will provide the Association with written notice of the proposed policy or course of action and offer to meet and confer over the proposal in accordance with State law, the County’s Employee Relations Policy (ERP), and with the provisions provided in (c) below.
The County and Association agree to meet and confer in accordance with State law, the ERP, and the provisions provided in (c) below if the County’s proposal(s) include matters within the scope of representation in one (1) or more of the following matter:.
1. The assignment of groups of employees to work hours, work shifts and/or work schedules. An example of such a change would be if the County proposed to change the work schedule of employees in the Sheriff’s Detention Division from a 4/10 to a 5/8 schedule.
2. The assignment of employees between departments as a result of reorganization or a change in the mission or program of the department(s) involved.
3. The use and assignment of County vehicles and/or personal vehicles of employees for work-related purposes.
The provisions of this subsection (c) apply to the meet and confer process applicable to County proposals on matters within the scope of representation as described in Subsections (a) and (b) above.

The County will provide written notice to the Association describing the proposed change. Upon request of the Association, the County will provide all relevant information it has pertaining to the proposal as required by the MMBA.

The Association will have up to fifteen (15) calendar days from when it received the notice to inform the County in writing if it desires to meet and confer over the proposal. If the Association fails to notify the County within the fifteen (15) days, the County may implement the proposal without any further obligation to meet and confer with the Association.

If the Association notifies the County within fifteen (15) calendar days of its desire to meet and confer, then the County and the Association shall meet and confer in good faith over the proposal and all identified impacts arising from the proposal.

Unless extended by mutual written agreement of the parties, the pre-impasse period for meeting and conferring pursuant to this Section 34.3 shall be thirty-five (35) business days from when the Association was properly notified of the proposal by the County. If an agreement is not reached by the thirty-fifth (35^th) business day from the date the Association was notified, either party may declare an impasse by filing with the other party a written declaration of impasse and request for an impasse meeting, together with a statement of its position on all disputed issues. An impasse meeting shall then be held within two (2) business days, at which time the County shall present an impasse statement including the proposal that it proposes to implement after the completion of the post-impasse process required by law and this Section 34.3 should further discussions fail to produce an agreement.

If an agreement is not reached at the impasse meeting, the dispute shall be submitted to mediation. If the parties fail to resolve the dispute through mediation within the timelines set forth in the MMBA, the matter may be submitted to “fact finding” In accordance with the provisions and timelines of the MMBA. Section 34.3.b(2) is not subject to the grievance procedure of this agreement (Article 30) in any way except for an allegation that the County failed to provide the required notice or acted to implement the change before the procedures required by this Section were completed. Any ruling by an arbitrator under this Section 34.3.b(2) that is adverse to the County shall be limited to ordering the County to comply with the notice and/or time limits specified above.

34.4 Written Modifications Required

No agreement, alteration, understanding, variation, waiver, or modification of any of the terms or provisions contained herein shall in any manner be binding upon the Association and the County, unless made and executed in writing by the parties, and if required, approved and implemented by the Board of Supervisors.

34.5 No Limitation on Authority of Civil Service Commission

Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to limit or remove the existing or future jurisdiction or authority of the Civil Service Commission as provided in Ordinance No. 305-A as amended, or as provided in the Rules adopted there under.

34.6 Non-Precedence

The waiver of any breach, term, or condition of this Memorandum of Understanding by either party shall not constitute a precedent in the future enforcement of all its terms and provisions.

34.7 Side Letters

All side letters or other agreements not attached to or incorporated into this Agreement are no longer valid. This MOU constitutes the entire agreement between the Association and the County.