TRUMAN — Truman City Council on Tuesday heard from Marty Carey, a representative of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, who said the council is in violation of the union contract by reposting jobs for current Trump Public Utilities employees.

The four current TPU employees were asked by the council to re-apply for “new” positions in order to have the city hire them just as they hire all new employees. Truman’s city attorney, Derrick Greiner, advised the city this would be the easiest way to make the transition.

Following a public vote Aug. 13 in which Truman residents voted 125-40 to abolish the Public Utilities Commission, the council is assuming all of the PUC’s responsibilities. The city has until Sept. 13 to complete the merger of the two entities.

Carey acknowledged that the union’s attorney and Greiner do not see eye to eye on the matter.

“These people have jobs already and you need to honor that agreement. I don’t understand why you want to go the way you’re going,” Carey said.

“We’re here to do a job for the citizens of Truman. Nothing has been decided as far as wages and benefits go,” said Mayor Lynn Brownlee.

“According to you, if they don’t re-apply for their jobs they won’t have a job on Sept. 12. Will they?’ Carey asked.

Greiner said that is correct.

“Then that’s a violation of the labor agreement,” Carey said.

The “new” job postings were offered to TPU employees, who could apply and then accept or refuse job offers from the city.

Moving to another issue on the topic, a special meeting for the purpose of discussing the probationary period of a TPU employee was requested to be held Thursday. A special meeting costs the council roughly $500.

“Looking at it, it’s six days before the PUC is abolished and I don’t know that there’s any really good reason to be calling a special meeting for that purpose,” Greiner said. “This resolution makes clear that the City Council doesn’t want any changes to that.”

He added that the PUC is separate and can make its own decisions on the matter if it believes the action is in the best interest of citizens.

TPU employees have a six-month probationary period, but the PUC is recommending that one employee who began in July be taken off the probationary period now, four and a half months early.

“I feel a six-month probation period is a six-month probation period,” said council member Brandon Mosloski.

City administrator Bethanie Ekstrom asked if, after an employee is taken off probation, they receive a raise. To which Carey replied that he believes they do.

Councilman Jake Ebert said the council is not questioning the employee’s ability, as he has proven capable.

“When I heard he was going to come off of probation four and a half months early, I guess I didn’t know why,” Ebert said.

The employee said he did not request it, but was approached and told he was going to be coming off probation early.

“I don’t want to see anyone leave. I truly want to see every employee stay,” Ebert said.

“Part of it is the uncertainty,” Greiner said. “No one knows what’s being done or why it’s being done. We don’t know the pros and cons as a practical matter. It’s a six-day difference. It seems like a futile waste of time and effort.”

Greiner added that he is not in favor of the council making any changes with six days to go, as it adds no practical benefit to the city or the PUC.

“However we decide this tonight, it’s nothing personal and does not reflect the job that you’re doing or our feelings about you at all,” Brownlee told the TPU employees who were present.

The council passed a resolution stating the council formally expresses its position that no changes in employment be made by the Public Utilities Commission prior to its abolition.