On May 3, IBEW 1245 Assistant Business Manager Ray Thomas gave our members at Lassen Municipal a detailed review of the new tentative agreement.
On May 9 IBEW 1245 Business Representatives Pat Waite and Randy Osborn held a membership vote. A strong majority of the members approved the terms of the new agreement.
For over a year the District had been proposing two-tiered health and welfare plans for both new-hire active employees and also for new-hire future retirees.
The Union’s negotiating committee worked diligently to convince the District that their second tier health and welfare plan would not only have a negative affect on new hires, it would also have an actuarially adverse impact to the District’s unfunded liabilities The Union also made a similar presentation to the District’s Board of Directors on November 22, 2010.
The Union’s 2010/2011 negotiating committee was comprised of Joann Villalovos, Cort Cortez, Jim Lovercheck, Assistant Business Manager Thomas, and Business Representative Waite.
The new Memorandum of Understanding provides for increases in employee health and welfare out of pocket maximums and prescription co-pays.
The key elements to the new agreement are as follows:
1. No lesser second tier coverage for active new hires and new hire retiree medical.
2. Five-Year Term, beginning 7-01-10 through 6-30-15.
3. 401k Pension Enhancement: Effective 7-01-11 increase District contribution from 12.5% to 14.5% (brings District’s contribution to 20.5% with current dollar for dollar 6% match on employee contribution).
4. General Wage Increases:
- 7-01-10: 0%
- 7-01-11: 3%
- 7-01-12: 3%
- 7-01-13: 3% plus any index % increase that registers .5 or higher on the 2012 CPIU annual average (max 5%).
- 7-01-14: 3% plus any index % increase that registers .5 or higher on the 2013 CPIU annual average (max 6%).
5. Sick Leave Cash out Enhancement: Effective 7-01-11 cash out at separation or retirement shall be increased from 30% to 35%.
6. Stand-By Pay Enhancement (1-Lineman minimum standby each week):
- 7-01-11 Increase Standby pay to $700. Per-week.
- 7-01-12: Increase Standby pay to $725. Per-Week
- 7-01-13: Increase Standby pay to $750. Per-Week
- 7-01-14: Increase Standby pay to $775. Per-Week
- Standby Weeks incorporating a recognized holiday day will be receive an added increased premium of $50. (currently $25.).
7. Holidays (two additional):
- Effective 7-01-11: Add Christmas Eve
- Effective 7-01-11: Add Additional Employee Optional Holiday
(This brings the unit to a total of 10 regular holidays and 5 optional holidays annually).
8. Health and Welfare premiums for active employees and retirees remains fully paid by District.