Union wants part-time service credit benefit

tice currently not allowed.

But the way the amendment was designed, requiring employees to buy service in lump sums for what came out to be six-figure totals, was not enough for Whittington and his fellow staff members.

“While the idea of allowing for the purchase of pension years may seem favorable on the surface, the reality is far less promising,” Whittington said in the email. “When we delve into the actual figures, it becomes apparent that this option is simply not feasible for the average person coming from another municipality with a pension system.”

While Whittington was referring to a specific employee — Training Chief Michael Wood, who attended Monday’s meeting with him — he also addressed the bigger picture.

“In our pursuit of building a strong and resilient fire department with a focus on safety and confidence, it is crucial that we consider the importance of part-time service credit,” Whittington’s email said. “The fire department seeks to recruit individuals with previous experience in other departments. When considering the benefits of part-time employees, especially firefighters and paramedics, it is essential to recognize that some decisions cannot be solely based on financial calculations.”

Whittington said during the meeting that the only benefit the department has to offer part-time employees, who are not knocking down the door to work in Ocean City, is money.

“They can go other places and make about the same money and run less calls,” he said.

Offering part-time service credit would help Wood as well, who came to work in Ocean City about a year ago from Baltimore City and recently learned that the number of pension years eligible for transfer from his former job is limited.

Whittington said during Tuesday’s meeting that Wood has extensive education and a degree that has significantly helped the department. For example, Whittington said the department’s quick and exceptional response to a recent fire in a downtown residential area was a direct result of Wood’s training practices in action.

“We’re seamless,” Whittington said. “All of our cadets — volunteer, career, full-time, part-time — are on the same page like we’ve never seen before.”

With that, losing Wood would be a major blow to the department. So when Wood learned his pension would transfer to Ocean City at only a fraction of the credit, staff members jumped into action to find a way to help.

The solution was the amendment passed Tuesday. However, as Whittington pointed out during the meeting, Wood does not have the $109,000 he would need to buy his time back.

“Approving this ordinance to keep him here is actually not going to work,” Whittington said.

But the amendment, which will go to a second reading before final approval, is a start.

Council members agreed to keep the conversation going, which Wood said after the meeting gives him at least some hope that a solution is possible.

Council members agreed to look into what it could cost to provide parttime service credit, although City Manager Terry McGean cautioned against the potential implications of the conversations.

“It’s important to remember, parttime workers working part time, they are not contributing to the pension,” McGean said. “I just have to be frank, you all are opening up a huge Pandora’s Box if we want to start talking about this. This is not something that’s going to get settled in 30 days.”

He also said that the proposed amendment is “cost neutral” while the addition of part-time credit is not.

“I believe honestly the correct time to do that would be as part of the bargaining agreement,” McGean said.

Union members and city officials recently met outside of the regular bargaining process to approve changes to pay and pension contributions. The contract, signed in April, expires in three years, which McGean said would essentially be the time to have discussions on any other budgetary changes.

Councilman Tony DeLuca, however, who expressed a desire for staff to look into the cost of implementing part-time contribution capabilities, disagreed.

“I understand it’s a contract, but anytime you have an opportunity presented to you that could improve safety, help get more part-time, improve, retain, reduce overhead, I don’t agree that you just go with the contract. At all,” DeLuca said.

During the most recent negotiations, members of both bargaining parties said the discussions were some of the best and most productive ever, which Whittington said is proof that they should continue talking.

“We need to keep having these conversations,” he said. “Because sometimes the union can go above and beyond, as well as the mayor and council can go above and beyond.”

Council members also voted on Tuesday to approve the first reading of a similar pension purchase plan for regular employees, as well as those in public safety.