IBEW members at AC Transit on July 20 ratified the tentative agreement reached with the AC Transit District by a slim margin of 12-11.
The members had previously rejected a tentative agreement on July 6 by a vote of 14-7, largely due to concerns over new contract language for scheduling work shifts. After discussions with the District
negotiator, the AC Board of Directors, and Mediator Seymour Kramer, changes were made to the work schedule language, resulting in the 12-11 vote. The substitute language on work shifts limited the impact of weekend scheduling.
Other provisions of the ratified agreement are a 90/10 split on medical plan coverage costs (effective 6/30/13), reduced opt out incentive for medical and dental, and a two-tier pension plan, the term of which still needs to be negotiated.
“Although we demonstrated to the District using wage studies that our members were underpaid, we were not able to get any wage considerations for the term of the agreement,” said Business Rep. Al Fortier. “The wage disparity is a real issue as three Electronic Technicians and one Electrician have recently left, citing wages as a major reason.”