Local 1245 and the Modesto Irrigation District met on Dec. 21 to exchange initial bargaining proposals. The exchange had been originally scheduled for Nov. 30, but was delayed when the District was unprepared to exchange.
“The District is looking for significant increases in employee contribution to the Medical premium,” said Local 1245 Business Rep. Sheila Lawton. “The District is also proposing another tier in the defined benefit plan as well as some changes to the medical for retirees.”
The Local 1245 bargaining committee met on Jan. 4 to review the District’s proposal thoroughly and prepare a counter-proposal.
The parties are currently scheduled to meet again on Jan. 20 and 25, and Feb. 3 and 24.
Serving on a union subcommittee for the negotiations are Denise Miller, Dale Gumm, Tony Moore and Dave Ferreira. Serving on the union bargaining committee are Mike Gomes, Travis Weese, Richard Behler, Jeff States, Stephen Carlson, and Woody Mouw, along with Lawton and Local 1245 Business Manager Tom Dalzell.
The union is still pursuing an Unfair Labor Practice charge against the District related to previous negotiations that produced an agreement at the bargaining table that was subsequently repudiated by the District’s board of directors.