IBEW Local 1245 members at the City of Willits recently ratified a three-year successor MOU, which was subsequently adopted by the City Council.
High points of the agreement include a one-time ratification bonus of $1,000, as well as a 2% wage increase upon adoption by council, another 2% in July 2019, and 2% in July 2020 (2019 and 2020 are subject the City’s ability to maintain steady operating reserves). There are also newly established premium percentages for various certifications held by members working water and wastewater operations.
The committee was also able to secure improvements to the medical benefits, allowing members to upgrade into higher-cost plans at a more affordable amount. Additionally, we negotiated improvements to safety shoe allowances, and many other positive changes to condition language throughout the agreement.
Securing this very favorable agreement was no small feat given recent challenges the City has faced, many of which may be attributed to the new Willits Bypass of Highway 101, which took a significant amount of traffic away from City streets and businesses.
The Local 1245 negotiating committee consisted of Bud Fritz, Logan Gamble, and alternate member Kenan O’Shea.
–JV Macor, IBEW 1245 Business Rep