After nearly a year of contentious bargaining, which ultimately led to a deal reached through mediation, the IBEW 1245 members at Truckee Meadows Water Authority (TMWA) overwhelmingly approved a new agreement by a vote of 71-9. The agreement has been unanimously ratified by the TMWA board.
The new agreement includes a 3% wage increase effective Feb. 19, 2018, with another 3% wage increase coming on July 1, 2018. Forty-three employees will get an additional 4%,5%,or 6% at that time as well, and all of the members will receive annual wage increases of 3% in 2019 and 2020. In exchange, the management negotiated changes to retiree medical that will impact only new members who are hired after the board action.
The bargaining committee was comprised of members Travis Bunkowski, Rick Pickworth, Doretta Umshied, Chris Hires and Brandyn Rada. The committee worked hard to keep the unit unified throughout the lengthy negotiation process, and their dedication ultimately paid off in the end.
–Pat Waite, IBEW 1245 Business Rep