Disclaimer! This presentation is informational in nature only and is NOT at this time endorsed, supported, or under consideration by either Fire Administration or the VCPFA Board of Directors- Rather it is a “grassroots” effort to educate our members on a viable alternative to our current work schedule.This presentation is informational in nature only and is NOT at this time endorsed, supported, or under consideration by either Fire Administration or the VCPFA Board of Directors- Rather it is a “grassroots” effort to educate our members on a viable alternative to our current work schedule.

Introduction This PowerPoint presentation was originally developed to introduce the members of the Beverly Hills Fire Department to the concept of the 48/96 (2on/4off) work schedule and has been slightly modified from it’s original version to account for some of our particular overtime practices and policies. Please view this presentation on a possible alternative work schedule with an open mind and you just might find yourself surprised at the end. Enjoy…..

VCFD Proposal for 48/96 Schedule

Introduction Some of our members have been looking at and discussing the possibility of a 48/96 schedule for several years. This issue has never been subject to a union ballot vote, but the demographics of the department and the realities of increased commuting times have changed in the last few years and will continue to change. Many of the members have been asking about and discussing the 48/96 in the past couple of years and especially over the last several months.

Introduction, continued The purpose of this presentation is to present the issues relevant to such a change in our working hours. Any trial period that we would ever propose to undertake would be ONLY a trial. Any Vote on the matter would be a ballot vote by all members, not a hand vote at a meeting This is meant to be a fair treatment of the issues and questions and comments are welcome from all.

What does the 48/96 schedule look like?

How do the schedules compare?

How many weekends do you work? Present Schedule 18 weekends off per year 34 weekend days worked per year 0 full weekends worked per year 48/96 Schedule 26 weekends off per year 34 weekend days worked per year 9 full weekends worked per year

How many four day off periods do I get in a 48/96 schedule? Current Schedule 40 times per year per month 48/96 Schedule 60 times per year 5 per month

How many days will I wake up at home with my family? Current Schedule 10 days per month 120 days per year 48/96 Schedule 15 days per month 180 days per year

How much vacation time do I get? (Figured on 14 Vacation Days Per Year- VCFD max.) Current Schedule 3 C/L days to make a segment vacation. 13 days in a segment vacation. 4 complete segment vacations in a year 52 days per year in segment vacations. 48/96 Schedule 2 C/L days to make a segment vacation. 10 days in a segment vacation. 7 complete segment vacations in a year. 70 days per year in segment vacations.

How many days will I have to commute to or from work? Current Schedule 240 days per year Using example commute of 25 miles with 30 minute average travel time: 6000 miles per year 120 travel hours per year. 48/96 Schedule 120 days per year Using example commute of 25 miles with 30 minute average travel time: 3000 miles per year 60 travel hours per year.

How many overtimes can I work without working a 72? Current Schedule 80 days per year 48/96 Schedule 120 days per year

How many overtimes can I work without working another 48? Current Schedule 40 days per year 48/96 Schedule 60 days per year

How many times could I be mandated into a 72 hr. shift? (Assuming no C/B worked) Current Schedule 80 times per year 48/96 Schedule 60 times per year

Are the shifts hired as 24 hour shifts or 48 hour shifts? All overtime shifts could be hired by TeleStaff as 24 hour shifts and treated as such for all hiring purposes. Could work both days of a vacancy if you were up for both and did not exceed “maximum hours worked” rules.

Will this affect my ability to do Shift Trades ? Should still be able to do shift trades for the same amount of days under the current MOA Could be 24 hour or 48 hour as long as you do not exceed “maximum hours worked” rules.

How is eligibility for overtime figured for any one day? Each shift could be eligible to bid for C/B on all of their days off. Current “maximum hours worked” restrictions should apply- Usually automatically managed by the TeleStaff program. Overtime opportunities will remain the same for each shift.

Here is an example of the eligible days for the A-Shift in a typical month Yellow boxes are eligible days

How many Overtime Opportunities < 48hrs ? Example: Typical Year

Why should management like the 48/96 schedule? Better workflow and Continuity as a shift works for two days in a row. Easier to schedule training coverage on second day of shift without the complication of holdovers and delay in coverage we currently experience. Morale increase in the members creates a happier workforce.

Why should management like the 48/96 schedule?...continued Some daily routines do not need to be repeated such as Shift Change, thus increasing productivity. Management can show that they are indeed forward-thinking and willing to accept and embrace change. More efficient fire inspection program due to less time between initial inspections and follow-up inspections.

Why should management like the 48/96 schedule?...continued 50% reduction in employee vehicle mileage to and from work that could benefit the city and gain AQMD benefits. Possible incentive to recruit FF/PM laterals that can’t afford or want to relocate to Ventura County

Comparison of Weekdays Worked Amount of weeks where you work one weekday. A-ShiftB-ShiftC-Shift Current Schedule / Amount of weeks where you work two weekdays. A-ShiftB-ShiftC-Shift Current Schedule / Amount of weeks where you work three weekdays. A-ShiftB-ShiftC-Shift Current Schedule776 48/96000

Will the 48/96 Schedule affect normal business day operations? There should not be a major impact since there are less weeks where you would work only one weekday. In our current schedule there is an average of 22 weeks where you would work only one weekday. In the 48/96 schedule there is an average of 18 weeks where you would work only one weekday.

Similar occurrences of back to back weeks where only one weekday is worked. Occurs 12 times a year. Occurs 9 times a year. Current Schedule 48/96 Schedule

Would the 48/96 schedule affect our fire inspection program? No! The current schedule and the 48/96 schedule both offer each shift between 16 and 18 days for inspection duties. The 48/96 schedule offers one advantage and that is there would be less turnaround time between initial inspections and the follow-up inspections.

What Happens if One Shift is Scheduled to work both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day ? If a shift was scheduled to work both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, the shift could be flip-flopped with the one before or after, depending on which shift had to work Thanksgiving. This only happens every 6 to 9 YearsThis only happens every 6 to 9 Years

Christmas Sample

CON Every shift is a 48 hours This disturbs a long standing routine May cause more stress with family routines initially. Both days of a weekend would be worked 9 times per year Second of 2 shifts could be more demanding if a busy first shift occurred. Almost all mandates would be a 72 Decrease in Morale of some members who do not want to try the 48/96

PRO Every time you go home you have a 4- Days off 8 More full weekends off per year More overtime days without working a 72 More overtime days without working a 48 Less total times that you can be mandated into a 72 Better continuity of workflow for two days in a row

PRO, con’t Increase in Morale as seen in Departments that have switched. More Time with family More 4-Days - 24 More Per year 8 More total days in segment vacation per year Commuting time and distance cut in Half resulting in less driving expenses and less wear and tear on vehicle.

Are constant-manned departments using this schedule?

What do we do now???? If you think this proposal has merit, talk it up with you crew, families, other members, and VCPFA District Rep If enough interest is shown, we can move towards a poll and than a vote to move forward with a trial run period of six months- See next slide for BHFD example The trial would be contingent on approval of management. All issues relating to the trial would be worked out by committee and with management between now and the start of the trial.

BHFD Vote Proposal for 48/96 Paper vote to start 6 month trial period then a paper vote (YES) Make it permanent (NO) Return to normal schedule (YES) Continue Trial After one year conduct a paper vote (YES) Make it permanent (NO) Return to normal schedule

Yahoo! Group Page Go to to view this Power Point presentation on- line at home or anywhere you go and join the 48/96 discussion group to express your opinions (free Yahoo! Membership required).