Negotiators at the Beaumont bargaining session reported a tentative agreement on the hours and overtime pay provision and on temporary promotions, while deferring a proposed cross‑assignment overtime change for communications personnel to a policy committee.

What happened: City negotiators said Article 23 (hours and overtime pay) was “good to TA.” City negotiators also confirmed Article 26 (temporary promotions) was ready for tentative agreement. The union and city agreed to note those TA items in the negotiation record.

Communications and operations overtime: The union proposed language to make communications‑division staff eligible to be assigned into the operations overtime pool when no operations personnel were available, arguing that communications had a smaller pool for overtime and that adding eligibility would expand opportunities. City negotiators said that while the practice already occurred in some cases, expanding the list in the contract was unnecessary and preferred to address the operational details through a joint policy committee that would draft implementing guidelines. Both sides agreed the policy committee would need to work out assignment schedules, credential requirements and how overtime would be distributed.

Why it matters: The TA on hours and overtime resolves one major economic article in the draft agreement, while leaving operational implementation—how overtime is assigned across divisions—to a committee. The committee’s policy work could affect how often overtime is required and who is eligible for extra shifts.

Outcome: Article 23 (hours and overtime pay) and Article 26 (temporary promotions) were recorded as ready for tentative agreement. The proposal to change overtime eligibility for communications staff was deferred to a joint policy committee for drafting and agreement.

Ending: Parties agreed the joint committee would draft the policy and that any committee‑level changes that affect benefits would return for approval in bargaining if necessary.