Dear IBEW Clerical Sisters and Brothers at PG&E,
PG&E and IBEW Local 1245 bargaining committees reached a tentative agreement on a new contract for our Clerical members on Monday, Oct. 25, 2010. The tentative agreement will be posted on the IBEW website in the near future. We will conduct a mail ballot ratification vote. Ballots will be mailed to your home on November 22, 2010 and counted on December 14, 2010.
The company’s original two-tier wage proposal called for significant wage reductions with no possibility of reaching the same wage level of current employees. The contracting out proposal threatened to outsource up to 20% of call center work and to eliminate the Bill/Print/Mail & Payment Processing. The unprecedented participation of the sisters and brothers of IBEW 1245 in this contract campaign enabled the Union bargaining committee to stand firm against PG&E’s initial proposals for a two-tier wage system and contracting out of our work. Neither of these proposals made it into the tentative agreement—thanks to the strength and solidarity our membership showed during this entire contract campaign.
Additional highlights include:
- A 4-year term
- Annual wage increases of 2%, 2%, 2%, and 2%, with an additional 1% in the first year if the ballot is ratified on the first vote
- Enhanced funeral leave
- Elimination of bonus/vacation inequities for part-time employees
- Improved bidding and demotion rights
- A new entry level classification with automatic wage progression for Service Representatives
More details about the tentative agreement — as well as the ratification process — will be available at upcoming Unit Meetings and in special field visits by members of the Local 1245 Bargaining Committee and Business Representatives. Check the web site for a calendar of upcoming Unit Meetings and special field visits. Following these meetings, you will be given sufficient time to make your decision and return your completed ballot.
IBEW Local 1245 Business Manager Tom Dalzell and the IBEW bargaining committee are recommending a “yes” vote on this tentative agreement.
We want to express our profound gratitude to you and the IBEW 1245 membership for your active and steadfast support throughout this process.
In solidarity,
IBEW 1245 Clerical Bargaining Committee