IBEW 1245 members at the City of Vallejo voted overwhelmingly to ratify the Tentative Agreement (T.A.) reached between IBEW 1245 and the City of Vallejo after three months of bargaining.
With unprecedented 80% turnout, a staggering 88% voted to ratify.
Led by IBEW 1245 Business Representative Kim Camatti and IBEW 1245 Senior Assistant Business Manager Al Fortier, the 8-person committee secured an 8% wage increase for all employees upon adoption of the new MOU and General Wage Increases (GWI) of 5% in year two (2025) and 5% in year three (2026).
The package also includes City contributions to healthcare costs, an increased boot allowance, a 3% hazmat differential pay for hours worked cleaning homeless encampments and shift differential pay increases and more
The new contract represents the most significant gains at the City of Vallejo in
decades.
IBEW 1245 Business Manager Bob Dean hailed the agreement declaring, “This is the power of unified, concerted action, dedicated staff, an engaged membership and strong support from labor, religious and community allies.” Dean also acknowledged the City Manager and City Council for instructing the City’s negotiating team to find creative solutions.
The gains made at the Table were hard
fought.
For three months, the City had declined to submit economic proposals. According to Camatti, movement at the Table came only after IBEW 1245 members delivered a public letter to City Manager Murray private and public actions culminating in a large rally and presentation at the June City Council meeting demanding “Fair Contract Now.”
“I am really grateful to all of our brothers and sisters at Local 1245 and in the labor community who leant their voice to our struggle. It was great to see everyone rallying for one cause. We gave the City of Vallejo, and the Labor movement a huge shot in the arm with our show of solidarity. Everyone who contributed to our fight deserves a share of the credit for our victory for our Vallejo members,” said Senior Assistant Manager Al Fortier.
In addition to strong community support, the negotiating team counted with strong support from the IBEW 1245 membership at the City of Vallejo.
For twelve months leading up to contract negotiations, Sister Camatti and IBEW 1245’s organizing team built a Volunteer Organizing Committee (VOC) at the City of Vallejo. More than 40 members attended trainings at the Union Hall in Vacaville to learn about the history of the Union, the union difference at the City of Vallejo and how to engage their co-workers. in turn, VOC members held 1-1 conversations with co-workers who had yet to sign up as dues paying members. Membership rose sharply from 52% density to 81% leading up to negotiations and the final ballot count.
“Members talking to members about the union difference in their lives – that’s how we built the unity we needed going into negotiations,” said Camatti.
The ratified contract was adopted by the City Council on July 9, 2024 at the regular City Council Meeting. In their remarks, several City Council members recognized the dedication of employees and commended them and their union, IBEW 1245.
13-year IBEW 1245 member, Josh Davidson, who works as a Utility Supervisor at the City of Vallejo, addressed the City Council on behalf of the negotiating committee stating, “On behalf of my IBEW 1245 brothers and sisters that work here, I thank you for coming to the Table and bargaining with us. I thank you for working out a fair deal, and I thank you in advance for signing this contract.”
–Eileen Purcell, Sr Advisor with Contributions from Sr. Assistant Bus. Manager Al Fortier & Summer Intern Cole Gerstle
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IBEW Business Representative Kim Camatti smiles with Assistant Business Manager Rene Cruz and Organizer Charlotte Stevens
IBEW 1245 Negotiating Team (not pictured Brian Monahan)
IBEW 1245 Members in Solidarity with their Vallejo brothers and sisters
IBEW 1245 Business Manager Bob Dean speaking before Vallejo City Council
Multigenerations offered their support
IBEW 1245 Giovani Cortez Larios, Jeff Dilag, Nick Rolley (witness, teller, judge)