After many months of difficult and sometimes frustrating negotiations that led to an impasse and mediation, the IBEW 1245 negotiating team at the City of Willits — consisting of members Perry “Bud” Fritz and Jerry Campbell (who retired during the early stages of negotiations), along with IBEW 1245 Senior Assistant Business Manager Dennis Seyfer and Business Representative JV Macor — finally reached a Table Agreement with the City on Dec. 1.
The members at the City of Willits voted unanimously to ratify the agreement of Dec. 3. The vote count was 5-0 (three members were present, and two cast proxy ballots).
A full copy of the agreement can be found here. Major points include:
- A three-year term with a 2.5% GWI in years one and three.
- In year two, there will be a $1000.00 bonus paid out to all bargaining unit members along with a commitment by both parties to design and effectuate job descriptions for Public Works Maintenance Worker Levels I, II, and III from the single classification it is today. These three new levels will contain five steps each in 5% increases with each higher schedule at a 5%minimum over the lower equivalent step schedule.
- The City will utilize a high-deductible plan offered by its insurance provider REMIF as the maximum contribution cap for all of its plans to avoid potential Excise Tax issues, and will also fund a Health Savings Account for members designed to cover the deductible for single and family participants. The Union was able to negotiate funding of the HSA three months earlier than originally proposed on an annual basis.
–JV Macor, IBEW 1245 Business Rep