Nearly a year after city councilors voted to quit bargaining collectively with Muskogee’s non-uniform employees, union supporters are renewing efforts to win back that right.

Non-uniform employees this past year were able to get an ordinance passed that gives them the right to reorganize. But some provisions of that ordinance, labor supporters say, are particularly onerous.

The decision in 2011 to strip non-uniform employees of their collective bargaining rights caused a public backlash that resulted with the biggest City Council turnover since 1992. Members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees hope this year’s election results will translate into a victory for collective bargaining rights.

With hopes the proposed ordinance will be amended to include more favorable terms, city employees have been collecting cards demonstrating support for union representation. Employees plan to present those cards Monday when city councilors are expected to revisit the issue.

Dustin Williams, a parks department employee, said the City Council’s decision to dissolve AFSCME’s local bargaining unit appeared to be based on lack of support among employees. The card drive, Williams said, is intended to erode that perception.

“Employees from departments all over the city stepped forward and helped pass around union cards,” Williams said, noting a clear majority of eligible class members already have signed the pledge cards. “Support for the union is widespread and within every department.”

Williams said there are 148 city employees eligible for AFSCME membership. Union representatives, Williams said, are shooting for 75 percent participation.

The question that remains is whether labor-backed city councilors will be able to persuade enough of their colleagues to reverse course. City Attorney Roy Tucker said amending the ordinance will need the support of at least five and maybe six councilors.

 “If you put in on twice, it needs only five votes,” Tucker said about his interpretation of a charter provision that spells out what is needed to pass an ordinance. “If you put it on only once, it would require six votes.”

Labor supporters believe they can count on the support of at least four city councilors, three of which were elected at least in part as a result of the support they earned from organized labor. Those councilors include Lee Ann Langston, Ward I, Dan Hall, Ward II, and Derrick Reed, Ward III, all of whom have expressed support for the proposed amendments.

Ward IV Councilor Kenny Payne requested the proposed amendments be added to the agenda, so his support appears likely. Ward III Councilor Randy Howard said he has never had a problem with AFSCME and likely will vote in favor of the proposed amendments when they are presented Monday.

“When this first came up, I don’t think we were as informed as we should have been,” Howard said. “Once we got into it, we saw that this meant more to them than what they (administrators) thought. If the employees feel more comfortable being represented by a union, I don’t have a problem with it.”

Mayor Bob Coburn, who declared support for employees’ right to collectively bargain during his campaign, said he is opposed to the proposed amendments.

“I don’t see it as a necessity that the employees have to pay (a union) to bargain for what the city is willing to give them anyway,” Coburn said, noting his support for a provision that requires majority support of all affected employees before reorganization is possible. “I think it needs to be a majority of class because that decision will impact every single employee” regardless of how widespread union support is among the eligible employees.

Reach D.E. Smoot at (918) 684-2901 or dsmoot @muskogeephoenix.com.