By Tom Dalzell, Business Manager
This was one of the most challenging sets of negotiations our Clerical members ever faced. The economy is terrible, PG&E has faced unprecedented operational problems, and new officers are not familiar with the history that produced our wages and working conditions.
We knew that these would be tough negotiations, and that our success would depend on our members actively participating in the process. We wanted PG&E to understand that they weren’t dealing with just a dozen union members on the Bargaining Committee, but with all 2500 members of the Clerical bargaining unit. We needed you to step up to the challenge.
And step up you did. You came to the union’s “drop-in” meetings with your ideas. You came forward to serve as worksite volunteers. You circulated the petition against the company’s two-tier and contracting proposals. You wore buttons and displayed posters and spoke your mind.
During these negotiations we have seen dozens of new leaders stand up and join the hundreds of experienced leaders in the bargaining unit. As we sat at the bargaining table, we knew you had our back—and so did the company.
That support was a key factor in our ability to convince the company that their two-tier and contracting proposals were not the best approach for the company, the employees, or customers. Instead of a two-tier wage system that would have made second-class citizens of all new hires, we made sure that everyone will have the opportunity to advance and earn the same pay for the same work.
Our new agreement provides a 4-year term, enhanced funeral leave, elimination of bonus/vacation inequities for part-time employees, improved bidding and demotion rights, and a new entry-level classification with automatic wage progression for Service Representatives.
We now are closer to having the Clerical agreement back in synch with the Physical agreement, and we have achieved gains at a time when most unions are happy just to limit their losses. This four-year agreement provides wage increases of 2% each year, plus an additional 1% in the first year if the agreement is ratified on the first vote.
It wasn’t easy, it took effort, but you did it. This is your achievement and your contract. I take pride in what you accomplished, and you should too.
Please watch the IBEW Local 1245 website for details about the ratification process.
