FINDINGS OF FACT
The American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees,
Local No. 888 (hereinafter "Union"), the certified bargaining repre-
sentative of certain employees of the City of Clinton (hereinafter
"City"), began negotiations with the City in late February, 1976.
Negotiations sessions were held on five occasions between February
26 and April 12, 1976, and mediation sessions on April 27 and 29,
1976, failed to produce a collective bargaining agreement.
Meanwhile, on March 22, 1976, the streets and alleys committee,
a subcommittee of the City Council, formulated a recommendation to
the Council concerning the establishment of new job classifications
for certain employees represented by the Union. That recommendation,
which included the elimination of one mechanic job classification,
was enacted by the City Council in a resolution dated April 5, 1976.
The City did not discuss the change in job classification with
the Union at any time during negotiations (which were taking place
at the same time), and did not consult with Union representatives or
officers before instituting the change. The single exception was
a conversation between Street Commissioner Hohlstein and union negoti-
ating team member Knopka at some unspecified time between the recom-
mendations of the streets and alleys committee (March 22) and final
action by the City Council (April 5). The conversation took place
while Knopka was working and concerned the possibility of changes
in job classifications. Knopka indicated that they (presumably,
the Union) would see what happened when the subject came up.
Thereafter, on June 7, 1976, the City Council passed a reso-
lution establishing new wage rates, vacation schedules, and per-
centage of medical insurance payment, and eliminating City partici-
pation in group life insurance coverage for City employees. The
new job classifications were posted for bidding by the employees
in late June. All of the above changes were made effective the
beginning of the new fiscal year, July 1, 1976.
