On Wednesday, December 14, 2016, IBEW 1245 members at the City of Vallejo overwhelmingly ratified a 30-month agreement by a vote of 145-2. The agreement will be in effect from January 1, 2016 through June 30, 2018 and contains a 2% General Wage Increase (GWI) effective the first payroll period of January 2017; 2% GWI effective the first payroll period of July 2017; a $3,000 lump sum payment; increased safety shoe allowance; and a minimum 5% salary increase for promotions.
The City of Vallejo workers, who were formerly represented by IBEW Local 2376, voted to merge with IBEW 1245 in December 2015, and this is IBEW 1245’s first negotiated successor agreement in Vallejo since the merger. Local 1245 began negotiations with the City in January 2016, and in total, 25 bargaining sessions were held over the course of almost a year. Throughout the negotiations, the membership demonstrated unity in a number of ways, including a Solidarity Rally at City Council Chambers, where over 100 members and staff addressed the Council to advocate for a fair agreement.
Local 1245 member Vivian Sanderson cast her vote on the new agreement
The IBEW members at the City of Vallejo had previously gone nearly nine years without a general wage increase and endured many concessions after the City’s bankruptcy of 2008, including 10% wage reductions and furloughs totaling 5%. After all of the concessions over the years, the City of Vallejo membership sees this new agreement as a positive step in the right direction, and after the vote, they celebrated with a holiday party.
On Tuesday, December 20, 2016, the Vallejo City Council unanimously approved the new agreement by a vote of 7-0. Mayor Osby Davis shared that the agreement was a big step in the right direction and that he appreciated all the efforts made by IBEW, and Mayor –Elect (and current Councilmember) Bob Sampayan thanked IBEW for working with the City. Councilmember Jesus “Jess” Malgapo expressed his appreciation to the City and IBEW bargaining committees, while Councilmember Rozzana Verder-Aliga thanked and acknowledged IBEW members and staff that were in attendance at last night’s council meeting.
IBEW City of Vallejo Bargaining Committee:
- Ray Thomas, IBEW 1245 Senior Assistant Business Manager
- Jennifer Gray, IBEW 1245 Business Representative
- Eleanor Brown, Former Business Manager of IBEW 2376
- Frank Caballaro
- Oni Brown
- Allan Panganiban
- Marcus Adams
- Bill Stockman
–Jennifer Gray, IBEW 1245 Business Rep
Livian Ellis & Sergio Caldera pose in the photo booth at the holiday party after the contract vote
(Left to Right) Tom Rogers, Dan Hiteshew, SABM Dennis Seyfer, SABM Ray Thomas, Jen Gray, Eleanor Brown
Eleanor Brown & Livian Ellis
IBEW 1245 Senior Assistant Business Manager Ray Thomas (left) and the City’s hired Chief Negotiator Austris Rungis signed the successor agreement
Senior Assistant Business Manager Ray Thomas explained the details of the agreement to the members
Senior Assistant Business Manager Ray Thomas explained the details of the agreement to the members
Senior Assistant Business Manager Ray Thomas explained the details of the agreement to the members
(Left)Robert Cole and Jeremiah Robinson smile for a photo after casting their votes
IBEW 1245 City of Vallejo workers celebrated the season with a holiday party after the contract vote
IBEW 1245 member Erin Waid casting her vote on the new agreement
Harold Cabral votes on the new agreement
IBEW 1245 members at the City of Vallejo cast their votes on the new agreement
Vivian Sanderson votes on the new agreement
Photos by Jennifer Gray and John Storey