After 12 weeks of negotiations and two weeks of educational meetings with IBEW 1245 members, the membership at Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) ratified a new four-year agreement on June 21, 2017. A total of 469 votes were counted (85% of the membership cast ballots), and the agreement was overwhelmingly approved, with 94.7% voting Yes to 5.3% No.
The new agreement will be in effect from January 1, 2018 thru December 31, 2021, and includes notable wage increases each year. In 2018, members will receive a lump sum of 6% of their annual salary; in 2019, they will receive a 3.25% wage increase plus 4% lump sum of annual salary; in 2020 they will receive a 3.25% wage increase; and in 2021 another 3.25% wage increase, The lump sum payments will be based on the employees’ choice during open enrollment, and options include cash payout, deferred compensation (401K and/or 457B), HSA and FSA. Class “A” premium will be increased to $1.00 an hour, and On Call pay will be increased to three hours a day for all Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays. In 2019, an additional $25 a month will be added to each “Year of Service” category, and in 2021, another $25 per month will be added to each “Year of Service” category.
The agreement also includes an additional 401K Deferred Compensation Match, increased from $330,000 a year to $550,000 a year by 2021. Members will have new options for medical coverage, including High/Low HMO, high deductible health plan, dental and vision buy-up plans. The cost share by the employee will increase from 9% to 12.5% over the term of the agreement. The High Deductible Health Plan has a cost share of 6%, with pre-loaded $2,500 for single members and $4500 for covered dependents for 2018. In 2019 thru 2021, the pre-loaded amounts are reduced to $1,700 for single members and $2,900 for covered dependents. The maximum co-pays for high premium HMO plans are capped for the term of the contract.
The bargaining committee consisted of Kelley Lowery, Kim Camati, Curtis Ferebee, William Mathews, JC Moe, Jim Notman and Cory Smith who maintained a strong commitment of protecting our current CBA and its provisions as well as all employees of our represented unit. The ballot committee consisted of Mike Tafoya (Ballot Judge), Jody Cather, Terry McNemor, Marcus Crumble, Sean Stevens, Serena Moss, Dusty McKinney, and Chris Chancy.
–Sam Glero, IBEW 1245 Business Rep