After many months of bargaining, IBEW 1245 and SMUD reached a tentative agreement, which was subsequently ratified by the members by a vote of 352-48 (88% in favor). The new four-year MOU includes general wage increases on Jan. 1 of each year — 3.5% in 2022, 3.0% in 2023, 3.0% in 2024, and 3.25% in 2025. The agreement includes several other enhancements as well, including double time for all overtime as well as all Mutual Aid work, and additional equity adjustments for several classifications, including Line (11%), Elec Techs (7%), Cable Splicer (3%), Substation Construction Foreman (2.5%) and Cable Splicer Construction Foreman (2.5%)
Members of the election committee counting ballots
The union secured a new Crane Certification premium of $.95 an hour for all hours worked for all Crane Certified employees; a 33% increase (from three hours to four hours) in On-Call pay for Sat/Sun; and a 100% increase (from three hours to six hours) for SMUD observed holidays. A new two-hour minimum is in effect for all on-call call outs (previously, the minimum was just for the first call in a 24-hour period). The agreement also includes a 66% increase in the Asbestos wage premium from $.60/hr to $1.00/hr for certified asbestos work, and an increase to the Class A premium from $1.00/hr to $1.15/hr. The union also eliminated the two-tier wage schedule for the Hydro Operator Series, Distribution System Operator Series, Power System Operator Series, Material Specialist III, IV and Line Equipment Operators.
Additionally, the union succeeded in maintaining the current employee medical contribution at 12.5%, so there will be no increase in medical premium cost share for term of MOU. For PEPRA employees, a new column was added under Direct Contributions increasing these contributions by $25 per month in year one, $50 per month year two, $75 per month year three and $100 per month in the fourth year of the contract.
IBEW 1245 staffers Lou Mennel, Dylan Gottfried and Al Fortier worked closely with the members of the bargaining committee, which was comprised of 1245 members Corey Smith, Kim Camatti, Jimmy Ferris, Sean Stevens, Joseph Klein, Joshua Ehrhardt, Rafael Burgos, and Rick Thomas, along with help from the election committee, Judge Mike Tafoya and Tellers Chris Fukui, Greg Holm, DeVaughn Cross and Jody Cather.