With the expiration of their labor contract looming on June 30th, 2024, nearly 100 IBEW 1245 members joined by labor and community allies packed the Vallejo City Council meeting to demand good faith bargaining and meaningful action.
Despite IBEW 1245’s continued readiness to bargain in good faith since the onset of negotiations in late March 2024, little progress had been made due to the City’s unwillingness to address years of substandard wages and benefits that have contributed to a crisis of understaffing and retention.
Prior to the start of the Council meeting, 1245 members made the message to Vallejo’s City Council crystal clear, chanting as they marched around the building with matching red and blue shirts and carrying signs that read “Fair Wages Now”. “WHAT DO WE WANT? A CONTACT. WHEN DO WE WANT IT? NOW” was the rallying cry, as workers made it clear that fair pay for the City’s workers was not a dream for the future, but a demand that needs to be met now.
Nearly 100 IBEW members packed the Vallejo City Council Chamber to show their support for City employees on June 25, 2024.
IBEW 1245 Business Manager Bob Dean opened the City Council meeting, reaffirming the need of the City to come to the bargaining table in good faith.
“It is time to get this negotiation back on track, bring about positive change, and get your employees, our members, what they deserve so they can concentrate on the very vital functions that they do for this city. We urge you to help,” Dean declared.
Al Fortier, an IBEW 1245 Senior Assistant Business Manager who has also been serving as one of the chief negotiators at the bargaining table for City of Vallejo employees stated, “The only economic proposal we have received from the City was a one year extension with a 3.5% general wage increase,”. He emphasized this was a nonstarter considering the indisputable fact that IBEW 1245’s “members are underpaid 22% below the average of comparison agencies”.
Fortier added, “We have a 32% vacancy rate across the bargaining unit, with 96 vacant positions out of 296 funded full time equivalent positions. Our members pay 178% more in medical premiums than employees at comparison agencies. That’s $425 a month more on average than employees who work elsewhere for the family medical plan.”
IBEW 1245 Business Representative Kim Camatti, Chief Negotiator at the table, added that “current wages and benefits do not reflect the value of our employees’ hard work. Inflation and the rising cost of living throughout the area have made it very difficult. Despite employee commitment to this City, many struggle to make ends meet.”
Camatti emphasized that Vallejo City workers have borne the brunt of low wages for far too long, asserting “The only way we can make real change is addressing the vacancy and turnover rate with IBEW members head on. We are seeking fair wages and benefits that are extremely reasonable, equitable, and that benefit everyone.”
IBEW 1245’s Eileen Purcell submitted letters from labor and religious leaders calling for a fair and equitable settlement. They included statements from California Labor Federation Executive Director Lorena Gonzales, and from Lutheran Bishop Jeff Johnson of the Sierra Pacific Synod, Joseph Fahey of Catholic Scholars for Worker Justice, Pastor Bladimer Paeste, and Reverend Deborah Lee of the Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity. Purcell echoed the words of Pastor Paste, “The time is past due to recognize and reward the men and women who serve this city so well.”
Glenn Loveall, the Executive Director of the Napa-Solano Central Labor Council closed out the remarks, voicing his unwavering support for Vallejo workers.
“These workers have suffered, they have endured through pandemic, recession, and emergencies to keep this city running. Just as we said before, they are the city’s future, they keep this city in operation, they must be treated as such,” Loveall concluded.
The Council Chamber erupted with applause after each speaker.
The impact of the rally and outpouring of support for the employees of the City of Vallejo at the City Council meeting was immediate. When negotiations resumed the next morning, for the first time in 3 months, the City submitted a comprehensive proposal to IBEW 1245’s negotiating team, who reported significant movement.
The time and work committed by many has meant progress in the right direction.
As Bob Dean said to the 1245 members as they gathered around City Hall; “This is what it’s all about, speaking up and standing up”.
IBEW 1245 members stand outside Vallejo City Hall on June 25, 2024.
1245’s negotiating team will be returning to the negotiating table with a counter on Friday, June 28th.
Article by IBEW 1245 Summer Intern Cole Gerstle.