Posting Language
Title
Authorize negotiation and execution of a legal services agreement with Denton Navarro Rocha Bernal & Zech, P.C. for 2024 labor contract negotiations with the Austin EMS Association in an amount not to exceed $150,000.
De
Lead Department
Law Department.
Fiscal Note
Funding is available in the fiscal year 2023-2024 Labor Relations Office’s Operating Budget.
For More Information:
Chris Coppola, Division Chief, Law Department (512) 974-2161.
Additional Backup Information:
The City retained the law firm of Denton Navarro Rocha Bernal & Zech in 2021 to represent the City in its public safety labor contract negotiations, including negotiations with the Austin EMS Association (“Association”). The meet and confer negotiations between the City and the Association resulted in a Meet and Confer Agreement between the City and the Association that is effective from October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2027 (“Agreement”).
The Agreement contains a “limited reopener” provision for negotiations related to the impacts of shifting the Office of the Chief Medical Officer into EMS. The City anticipates that negotiations with the Association under the limited reopener provision will take place in 2024. The proposed contract is to engage Denton Navarro Rocha Bernal & Zech, in an amount not to exceed $150,000, to represent the City in the 2024 contract negotiations with the Association under the Agreement’s limited reopener provision.
Denton Navarro Rocha Bernal & Zech has provided legal representation to the City on labor contract matters in the past. The firm handles such matters on behalf of local governments throughout Texas and is highly knowledgeable and experienced in these matters.