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Starbuck Employees To Vote On Forming Union
Pope County Tribune - Starbuck Times
Written by Chad Koenen - Starbuck Times New Editor   
Sunday, 01 February 2009 15:34


Starbuck City Council member Jim Johnson said the notion was never discussed or brought before the council. He said the petitions went straight to the former Starbuck Mayor Milo Holte, who signed the forms and dated the signature on January 7.

Johnson said it was important to note, "none of the council knew this was happening, and that the outgoing mayor signed the paperwork without the council knowing about it."

The two petitions received by the city actually breaks the city employees into two categories, supervisory positions and licensed essential city employees. Five city employees were listed under the supervisory employees which includes the classifications of: Water/Street/Maintenance/Wastewater Working Supervisor, Water/Street/Maintenance/Wastewater Foreman/Department Head, Chief of Police, Deputy Clerk, and Clerk/Treasurer.

However, the council discussed there might be a discrepancy over whether those listed as supervisors in the petition, actually hold a supervisory role in the city.

New Mayor Steve Dinsmore said he spoke with the city attorney about the matter, and was informed just two of the positions listed were in fact considered supervisors.

The other petition filed included all licensed essential employees who were not considered supervisory and confidential. Just two police officers were listed in this petition.

While all seven of the city employees names were listed on the petition, until a vote is taken, it will not be known how many employees are in favor of forming a union. A majority of the city employees in each petition must vote in favor of forming a union in order to unionize.

In the meantime, Johnson said the council will just have to wait and see what happens when the employees vote on whether to join a union, before taking a next step.

Fire Department to

purchase new truck

After receiving a FEMA grant in December, the Starbuck Fire Department formally accepted a bid from Midwest Fire totalling $209,925 to purchase a new fire truck. The FEMA Grant received by the department totals $192,000, which includes a five percent city match. The difference in the funding and cost will come from a New Truck Fund the department started a while back.

Starbuck Fire Department Chief Todd Johnshoy said the bid was not only the lowest complete bid the department received, but the company was also the best in working with the departments time frame of receiving the truck.

However, it is not known when the new truck can be expected to be in full operation in Starbuck.

The letters stated that a petition has been received to form a union for both the supervisory positions, and all licensed essential city employees.

However, the council said they were surprised to learn city employees were going to soon vote on forming a union.

Starbuck City Council member Jim Johnson said the notion was never discussed or brought before the council. He said the petitions went straight to the former Starbuck Mayor Milo Holte, who signed the forms and dated the signature on January 7.

Johnson said it was important to note, "none of the council knew this was happening, and that the outgoing mayor signed the paperwork without the council knowing about it."

The two petitions received by the city actually breaks the city employees into two categories, supervisory positions and licensed essential city employees. Five city employees were listed under the supervisory employees which includes the classifications of: Water/Street/Maintenance/Wastewater Working Supervisor, Water/Street/Maintenance/Wastewater Foreman/Department Head, Chief of Police, Deputy Clerk, and Clerk/Treasurer.

However, the council discussed there might be a discrepancy over whether those listed as supervisors in the petition, actually hold a supervisory role in the city.

New Mayor Steve Dinsmore said he spoke with the city attorney about the matter, and was informed just two of the positions listed were in fact considered supervisors.

The other petition filed included all licensed essential employees who were not considered supervisory and confidential. Just two police officers were listed in this petition.

While all seven of the city employees names were listed on the petition, until a vote is taken, it will not be known how many employees are in favor of forming a union. A majority of the city employees in each petition must vote in favor of forming a union in order to unionize.

In the meantime, Johnson said the council will just have to wait and see what happens when the employees vote on whether to join a union, before taking a next step.

Fire Department to

purchase new truck

After receiving a FEMA grant in December, the Starbuck Fire Department formally accepted a bid from Midwest Fire totalling $209,925 to purchase a new fire truck. The FEMA Grant received by the department totals $192,000, which includes a five percent city match. The difference in the funding and cost will come from a New Truck Fund the department started a while back.

Starbuck Fire Department Chief Todd Johnshoy said the bid was not only the lowest complete bid the department received, but the company was also the best in working with the departments time frame of receiving the truck.

However, it is not known when the new truck can be expected to be in full operation in Starbuck.