Members of IBEW Local 1245 ratified a new agreement with Plumas-Sierra Rural Electric Cooperative in a second round of balloting conducted on Aug. 5.

The two-year agreement, which runs through June 30, 2011, increases wages 3.5% on July 1, 2009, and by another .75% on Jan. 1, 2010 based on PSREC meeting certain financial goals. A general wage increase on July 1, 2010 will reflect the Consumer Price Index plus 1.5%, with a minimum increase of 2% and a maximum of 5%.

The agreement’s other provisions include:

§         Limits holiday pay to 8 hours per holiday (employees on 10’s had been receiving 10 hours)

§         Employees to pay 1% of medical premium. Capped at 2% of employee-only premium.

§         Increases medical deductibles from $100/$300  to $250/$750 in-network and from $200/$600 to $500/$1500 out-of-network.

§         Language to protect employees from driving long distances to get to a PPO doctor.

§         Increases meal allowance by $1 per meal.

§         Allows management to perform bargaining unit duties on the Telecom side of the business for the next 18 months. No BU employees may be laid off if any duties are performed by management employees.

§         General Opener prior to any layoffs.

Representing the union in the negotiations were Bruce Smith, Bryan Sherman, Susan Sessions and Business Rep. Randy Osborn.