After contentious negotiations that ended in mediation, the IBEW 1245 members at Yuba County Water Agency ratified a newly negotiated successor MOU on August 30, 2018 by a vote of 18-4. The Board approved the MOU on September 4.
The new agreement includes a 3.25% general wage increase the went into effect at the beginning of September, another 3.25% increase that will go into effect in July of 2019, and a 3% increase in July of 2020. The members also received a $300 one-time payment, effective the first pay period after ratification.
Additionally, the MOU includes equity adjustments for the Electrician, and Electric Technician classifications; stipend pay for D2/T2 certificate holders while performing services requiring those certifications (Mechanic classification members with crane certification will also be paid a stipend while performing crane services); reclassification of the Peripheral Facilities Caretaker to a new Hydro Construction Project Coordinator position with a rate 5% greater than PFC wage rate; an increase to the FR clothing, and safety boot/work clothing article; an increase to the retiree health coverage; and cleanup language regarding the meals provision and definition of the Christmas Eve floater holiday. We also agreed to come back to meet and confer over the standby provision under Guaranteed Response within 60 days of adoption of the MOU.
The bargaining committee was comprised of members Arnold DeLima, Joel Larson, and Bill Zoellin, along with IBEW 1245 Business Rep Charley Souders who served as lead negotiator, and Senior Assistant Business Manager Ray Thomas who came in to assist through the mediation process and expertly delivered the explanation at the ratification vote.
–Dominic McCurtain, IBEW 1245 Business Rep