CC Resolution No. 480 RESOLUTION NO. 480
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS,
OPPOSING THE GRANTING OF COLLECTIVE BARGAINING TO THE FIREMEN OF
THE CITY OF BAYTOWN AND URGING THE CITIZENS TO VOTE "NO" IN THE
ELECTION ON OCTOBER 3, 1974.
WHEREAS, the Baytown Firefighters have petitioned the City Council of the
City of Baytown to call an election to determine whether or not the firemen of
the City of Baytown shall collectively bargain with the city for wages, hours ,
working conditions , and all terms and conditions of employment; and
WHEREAS, arbitrators or a Judge will have the sole authority to decide the
amount of benefits received thereby, taking away the direct fiscal responsi-
bility from the City Council , elected by the citizens to oversee municipal
operations ; and
WHEREAS, the award of excessive benefits to one group of employees results
in less funds available for just and needed compensation for other city employees,
as well as creates unequal treatment among city employees ; and
WHEREAS, the citizens of Baytown recently voted in favor of a salary in-
crease for firemen making their salaries competitive with neighboring cities; and
WHEREAS , increased taxes may be necessary to pay for the firefighters
demands ; the increased workload that results from collective bargaining; the
necessity for hiring experts to represent the city in negotiations ; and the pay,
benefits , and working conditions which may be set by the impersonalized arbi-
tration procedures; and
WHEREAS, there is no assurance that collective bargaining would result in
increased efficiency or improved fire services ; NOW THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS:
Section 1 : THAT this City Council does here and now go on record as opposed
to the granting of collective bargaining to the firemen of the City of Baytown
and urge the citizens to vote "NO" in the election on October 3, 1974.
Section 2: This Resolution shall take effect immediately from and after its
passage by the City Council of the City of Baytown.
INTRODUCED, READ and PASSED by the affirmative vote of the City Council on
this 12th day of September 1974.
TOM GENTRY, Mayor
ATTEST:
EDNA IVER, City Clerk
APPROVED:
NEEL RI ARDS N, City Attorney
N FE G, ssistant C` , Attorney
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