MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Following three years of litigation between the city of Morgantown and first responders, mayor Jenny Selin is hopeful the city administration is close to resolving the issues. On WAJR’s “Talk of the Town,” she acknowledged new personnel rules that made their debut this month are creating great concern among members of the police and fire departments.
Morgantown recently paid GovHR to complete a wage and compensation study to lay the groundwork for the personnel policy changes. According to the executive summary from City Manager Kim Haws, salaries for some employees increased by about $120,000 in the new budget as a result of the study. This was the first personnel rule update in about three decades.
Some of the changes- no more shift differential, overtime changes and reductions in sick time have members of the police and fire departments concerned- some making the decision to work in another community.
Officials said the police department is short more than 20 officers and the fire department is down by five members.
“No one is pretending that everything is going along perfectly,” Selin said. ” But, I think it’s working itself out and I think every council member has done something on this at some point.”
The last time Morgantown personnel rules were amended was in the 1970’s. Since, many changes in the workplace and workforce have occurred that Selin said need to be addressed.
“When you’re in the business of having employees you have to use current standard language, current standard methods of payment, retirement and it has to be written down,” Selin said.
Since the rules went into effect July 1, regular meetings have been held between city manager Kim Haws and first responders, according to Selin. Selin said she is not familiar with details of the negotiations, but explained she wants the most qualified first responders to serve residents.
“I’m a policy maker, so I am not on the frontline of these negotiations,” Selin said. “But, I’m concerned, watching and we get briefed. I’m very pleased with how people have been talking back and forth and working through the issues.”
Now in her eighth term on city council, Selin said she has been on several ride-alongs with police and wants more interaction. She also said she wants to hear the concerns of first responders and all other employees.
“I think we need to, as we move through this period, we need to make sure we are on the ground listening and participating in different types of ride-alongs and experiences.”
However, members of the police and fire departments have said the effect of the new rules does not improve morale or safety of the public. Some rank and file members believes pay reductions will lead to good officers and firefighters leaving the city in the interest of their futures and families.
“I just want to make sure no one thought we were ducking tough issues,” Selin said. ” It’s just when something is ongoing it’s not the moment to announce anything in particular until it’s worked it’s way through.”