Local 1245 members at the City of Healdsburg approved a proposal from the union’s bargaining committee. The proposal was put forward in a last effort to avoid possible litigation regarding the city’s last, best and final offer that was presented to the union on Sept. 3
The union’s proposal included a pre-taxed 2% increase in the employee contribution to PERS, the retirement program.
Employees will share the cost of medical benefits with a pre-taxed 10% co-pay on premiums. Employees who opt-out of the medical benefit plan will receive a stipend of $477 per month.
Employees may be required to take 48 hours of furloughs per year if deemed necessary by the city.
The agreement is for three years with 0% wage increase in year 1 and 2 and a wage re-opener in year 3. Most likely furloughs will happen in the first year of the agreement, but the union committee believes that there is a strong possibility that furloughs will not be necessary in years 2 and 3.
“Given the current environment and the city’s last, best and final offer, the committee did well to minimize the impact to our members,” said Local 1245 Business Rep. Joe Osterlund.