Trees, Inc. pact ratified

Local 1245 members at Trees, Inc. on Nov. 13 ratified a two-year contract extension.

The agreement, like those previously ratified by members at Asplundh Tree and Utility Tree, provides general wage increases of 2.5% in 2010, and 3.5% in 2011. The agreement also calls for the companies to pick up one-half of any LINECO increases in 2011.

The term of the new agreement is Jan. 3, 2010 through Dec. 31, 2011.

Davey pact ratified

Local 1245 members at Davey Tree working on Turlock Irrigation District (TID) property unanimously ratified a new prevailing wage contract on Nov. 20.

Members will receive any future prevailing wage increases.  The members will also now participate in the IBEW 1245 Money Purchase Pension Plan, along with enjoying a company savings account with payroll deposit options.

Subsequent to approving this new agreement, all Local 1245 line clearance members on the TID property also were to receive a one-time $1,761.70 incentive payment, scheduled to be paid the week of Dec. 1.

The term of the agreement is Jan. 1, 2010 through Dec. 31, 2011.

Negotiating the above agreements for the union were Shop Steward Nathan “Cory” Higgins (Davey agreement), Shop Steward Juan Cervantes (Trees, Inc. agreement), Business Representatives Junior Ornelas and Carl Lamers, and Senior Business Representative Ray Thomas.

Windy Tree pact ratified

At Windy Tree, Local 1245 members on Dec. 4 unanimously ratified a contract extension similar to those reached at Trees, Inc. and Davey.

The two-year extension provides general wage increases of 2.5% in 2010 and 3.5% in 2011.  There were no increases in the employee premium co-pay on medical for the two-year term.

The term of the contract extension, which was negotiated by Senior Business Rep. Ray Thomas, is Jan. 3, 2010 thru Jan. 3, 2012.