On March 6, 2024, the three bargaining units at Modesto Irrigation District voted to approve a four-year tentative agreement. The agreement includes a general wage increase of 3% retroactive back to Jan. 14, followed by annual wage increases of 3%, 5% and 5%.
The bargaining committee worked hard to try and achieve many of the items that the members were looking for. We negotiated the removal of two-tiered wages for approximately 73 employees. These employees will not only receive the general wage increase, but also an additional 5% each year of the agreement until the effected employee reaches the grandfathered wages. So, by the end of the agreement, there will be no two-tiered wages for any bargaining unit member. We also negotiated multiple equity adjustments for various classifications that needed an additional increase.
We were able to obtain final and binding arbitration for our grievance procedure. We achieved enhancements to our Dental, Vision, LTD, and Life insurance, and the District will provide employer-paid STD. We negotiated many language improvements throughout the agreement, with no takeaways. The committee worked very hard for the six months that it took to get to a final agreement. I want to extend a special thank you to the committee members — Steve Carlson, Jessica Stillwell, Bill Campbell, Travis Weese, Cassandra Gamez, Mike Gomes, Rich Behler, and Alex Anderson — for all the work and time they put in to get us over the finish line.
–Sheila Lawton, IBEW 1245 Business Rep
MID bargaining committee, from left to right — Steve Carlson, Sheila Lawton, Jessica Stillwell, Bill Campbell, Travis Weese, Cassandra Gamez, Mike Gomes, Rich Behler, kneeling in front is Alex Anderson.
MID Ballot committee, from left to right- Karri Daves, Denise Miller, Paul Bledsoe and Peter Hilboldt.