HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 83
(By Delegates Higgins, Argento, Beach, Brown, Caputo, Craig,
DeLong, Duke, Eldridge, Ellis, Ennis, Fleischauer, Fragale,
Frederick, Guthrie, Hatfield, Hrutkay, Hutchins, Iaquinta,
Kessler, Klempa, Long, Longstreth, Manchin, Marshall, Martin,
Miley, C. Miller, J. Miller, Moore, Morgan, Moye, Palumbo,
Paxton, Perdue, Pethtel, D. Poling, Porter, Reynolds, Rodighiero,
Shook, Sobonya, Spencer, Staggers, Stephens, Sumner,
Swartzmiller, Tabb, Varner, Webster, Wells, Wysong and Yost)
Requesting that the Joint Committee on Government and Finance
authorize the study of meeting and conference rights for
members of fire departments employed by political
subdivisions.
Whereas, "Meet and confer" practices are interest-based
negotiations in which neither the employer nor the employee is
mandated to meet or come to an agreement; and
Whereas, Municipalities around the country have accepted the
practice of "meet and confer" so that employees may negotiate and
reach agreements with their employers on issues concerning wages,
hours, benefits and other terms and conditions of employment; and
Whereas, The fair and equitable treatment of all fire
department employees in West Virginia is essential to the effective
operation of local governments and the promotion of better
morale and efficiency among these emergency responders; and
Whereas, The effectiveness and efficiencies of municipalities
are improved by a constructive and cooperative working relationship between a local government and its employees; and
Whereas, It is important to study whether a "meet and confer"
practice improves the present system of communication between a
local government and its emergency responders and is necessary for
matters pertaining to wages, hours, benefits and other terms and
conditions of employment; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby
requested to study meeting and conference rights for members of
fire departments employed by political subdivisions; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and
Finance report to the Regular Session of the Legislature, 2009, on
its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts
of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations;
and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this
study, to prepare a report and draft necessary legislation be paid
from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on
Government and Finance.