LOCAL 1245 AND LIBERTY ENERGY REACH MULTI-YEAR AGREEMENT FOR FORMER NV ENERGY TAHOE PROPERTIES
The negotiating committees for Local 1245 and Liberty Energy reached a tentative agreement on Sept. 24 for a successor collective bargaining agreement. This set of negotiations commenced Jan. 20, 2011 following Liberty Energy’s successful purchase of the properties from NV Energy.
The properties were purchased in 2010 by CalPeco, which later changed its name to Liberty Energy.
After the negotiations were concluded, Local 1245 Business Representative Pat Waite met with the union members, explained the terms of the table agreement and held a vote. The members overwhelmingly ratified the new agreement.
The new multi-year agreement is effective Aug. 16, 2011 through Aug. 15, 2014. The agreement contains many improvements for the former employees of NV Energy. Most notable was the elimination of clerical two-tier wages, and major enhancement to the cash balance pension plan, including the elimination of the former NV Energy two-tier cash balance plan.
The new agreement will be posted in its entirety on IBEW Local 1245’s web site once approved by the IBEW International Office. Some of the highlights are as follows:
The IBEW 1245 Liberty Energy Negotiating Committee consisted of, from left, Michele Piechocinski, Casey Kelley, Business Representative Pat Wait, Assistant Business Manager Ray Thomas, Marty Radekin, and (not pictured) Business Representative Randy Osborn.
*Article 6 WORKING HOURS: Enhanced working hours provisions.
*Article 9 OVERTIME: Improved overtime provisions.
*Article 16 EXPENSES: Improved overtime meal and out-of-town expense provisions.
*Article 17 EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROGRAM: New Journeyman rubber glove training and incentive of 7.32%/Stand-by pager pay increase also increasing based on future general wage increase percentages.
*Article 20 EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PROGRAM: Enhanced cash balance defined benefit retirement plan with contributions ranging from 6% to 10% based on employee age and years of service, including former NV Energy service eliminating the former NV Energy two-tier which provided for a 4% maximum contribution for employees hired after 8-16-10/Enhanced retiree medical plan/2% reduction in employee health and welfare premium.
*Exhibit A WAGES: Based upon comparisons with other local IBEW 1245 signatory employers, the parties negotiated general wage increases. Year one general wage increases were effective retroactive to Aug. 16, 2011. In order to eliminate two-tier clerical wages and create new wage rates based on local utility comparison, the Aug. 16, 2011 general wage increases varied from 2.5% to 13% depending on classification, and a $1,000 lump sum payment to those classifications that did not receive an increase based on the comparisons. These calculations do not include the 7.32% Rubber Glove incentive for the Journeymen Linemen.
There will be a 1.5% general wage increase in both years two and three.
The Union’s negotiating committee worked tirelessly and professionally in both negotiating terms for an excellent collective bargaining agreement and in eliminating former NV Energy two tier-clerical wages and employee cash balance defined benefit pension plans. The continuous support of the 1245 membership working at Liberty Energy was greatly appreciated.
Liberty Energy and its negotiating committee also deserves credit for stepping up to the plate and eliminating the unjust second tier wages and pension plans brought by NV Energy.
IBEW 1245 Liberty Energy Negotiating Committee members: Michele Piechocinski, Marty Radekin, Casey Kelley, Business Representatives Pat Wait and Randy Osborn, and Assistant Business Manager Ray Thomas.