Local 1245 member on July 6 voted unanimously to approve a two-year agreement reached with the City of Oakland, Business Rep. Al Fortier reported.
The provisions of the agreement contineu the 12 Mandatory Leave Without Pay days (MLWOP). In addition, the members agreed to 10 additional floating unpaid days during the fiscal years 2012, and 2013.
Other major provisions of the agreement are a two-tier pension plan with the second tier at 2.5% @ 55.
Areas of improvement in the contract were better overtime language, better reduction in force language, and leave of absence without pay language consistent with the Personnel Manual, along with improved vacation and sick leave sell-back.
The City sought and obtained major concessions from all unions, including police and fire. They originally proposed:
(1) 5% wage reductions
(2) salary step freezes
(3) 5% employee contribution to employer share of PERS (the employees already pay the 8% employee share), and a two-tier pension for new hires (2% @ 60)
(4) 12 mandatory unpaid leave days per year.
The agreement reached with the City by the IBEW provided for a total of 9% in concessions, which would not become effective unless the City obtained similar concessions from all other bargaining units.
IBEW worked closely with the other miscellaneous groups, and the Labor Council to get our message of “Fair Share, Fair Deal” to the Oakland City Council. The City Council adopted a resolution approving the contract on July 26.