Well done, committee!
Let the voting begin!
Teller: Chris Fukui, Judge: Michael Tafoya, Witness: DeVaughn Cross – Ready to count ballots!
Committee, patiently waiting for voters
Members checking in with committee to Vote
The results are in 😊
Dylan giving the Judge, Teller and Witness instructions before the count
Witness, Judge and Teller counting ballots
Committee members (Left to Right) Back Row: Josh Ehrhardt, Jody Cather, Business Rep Kim Camatti, Robert Barngrover, Rafael Burgos, Joe Dray, Pete Winter Front Row: Corey Smith, Garrett Gross, Sr Assistant Business Manager Dylan Gottfried, Shawna O’Neal, Ryan Malmberg, Joe Klein, Steve Ross
After months of strong unity throughout the bargaining process, SMUD workers have ratified a new contract delivering improvements in wages, working conditions, and workplace protections.
IBEW 1245 members at Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) approved a new Memorandum of Understanding that includes general wage increases of 4% in 2026 and 3.85% in both 2027 and 2028, along with additional equity adjustments ranging from 2% to 15% for a number of classifications. The agreement also eliminates the two-tier wage system for several classifications, ensuring employees performing the same work are brought to the same pay level.
“This contract isn’t just a win — it delivers more than 61 million new dollars directly into the pockets of our members at SMUD,” said Senior Assistant Business Manager and Chief Negotiator Dylan Gottfried. “From the start, our committee was determined to secure language that protects our work, our skills, and our future. We achieved some of the strongest contracting‑out restrictions we’ve ever had at SMUD, along with new, forward‑looking protections covering autonomous systems, robotics, and AI‑related technologies to ensure our members remain at the center of this industry as it evolves.”
The ratification vote saw strong turnout from the membership, with 86% of eligible voters casting ballots. Of those votes, 399 members voted in favor and 89 voted against, resulting in 81% approval of the agreement.
The vote concludes a negotiation process that stretched longer than previous contract cycles, reflecting the complexity of bargaining in an environment where affordability and utility costs have become major public concerns across California.
Gottfried praised the team that carried the negotiations through months of complex discussions. “Our bargaining committee put in extraordinary work — countless hours, tough conversations, and unwavering dedication to every member in this unit. And I want to give special recognition to Business Representative Kim Camatti, whose deep knowledge, steady leadership, and relentless commitment were absolutely vital in getting this agreement across the finish line. This contract reflects the strength, solidarity, and professionalism of every person involved.”
“I’m really proud of how our members stayed involved throughout this process,” said IBEW 1245 Business Representative Kim Camatti. “The strong turnout and the patience everyone showed made the difference in helping us get this agreement across the finish line.”
That strength was on full display earlier this year when more than 250 SMUD IBEW 1245 workers packed a SMUD Board of Directors meeting in January, many arriving after a full day working in the field. Workers filled the main boardroom and an overflow room, sending a clear message that the membership was closely following the progress of negotiations.
“The cavalry showed up in force,” added Gottfried. “We made it clear that this membership refused to settle for anything less than a fair, respectful agreement.”
Two SMUD employees addressed the Board during the public comment period.
Josh Ehrhardt, a Lineman and Troubleshooter, spoke about the importance of maintaining a strong partnership between workers and management and emphasized that the employees who operate, maintain, and restore SMUD’s system expect to be valued in line with the responsibilities they carry.
Matthew Rush, an Apprentice Lineman, described the demanding and often dangerous conditions crews face while keeping power flowing through storms, fires, and outages. “The hours are long, the conditions are dangerous, and the physical demands don’t stop,” Rush told the Board in January.
Following continued negotiations, IBEW 1245 and SMUD reached a Tentative Agreement in February, which was then presented to the membership for review and then it was put up for a vote on March 3rd.
In addition to the wage increases, IBEW 1245 secured several important improvements in the agreement, including additional rest period hours, increased Comp Time Off (CTO), fully revised meal language with increased meal allowance, Short Notice on-call compensation, and increases to 401k and CalPERS contributions for PEPRA employees. The contract also increases Asbestos, Crane and Helicopter Premiums, boot allowances and cold weather clothing gear and boots for employees assigned to the Upper American River Project.
The union also pushed for forward-looking contract language addressing emerging industry changes, including new “meet and confer” provisions related to electric vehicle fleet transitions and language covering the use of autonomous and AI-related technologies within the bargaining unit.
With the vote now complete and the agreement approved by the membership, the new contract will take effect following final administrative steps between the parties.
“The goal in negotiations isn’t speed, it’s getting to the right agreement,” said IBEW 1245 Business Manager Bob Dean. “Our members stayed involved and united throughout this process and that is what allowed us to get a solid result.”