Through the hard work of your bargaining committee and Business Manager Tom Dalzell, IBEW 1245 and PG&E have reached a tentative four year agreement that will provide for the highest wage increases amongst utility locals in the country while maintaining our many hard-fought protections.
Your IBEW 1245 Bargaining Committee recommends a YES vote on this TA.
Key elements of the TA include:
A total wage increase of 13% over four years, starting 2016
- 3% in 2016 — 3.25% in 2017 — 3.5% in 2018 — 3.25% in 2019
Effective January 1, 2017:
- 40 hours of sick leave, available from Day 1
- An extra 40 hours of vacation for members with zero to four years, for a total of 120 hours per year
Changes to the time-off programs:
- A new voluntary short-term disability (VSTD) that’s better than the State Disability Insurance program. The benefit will increase from 55% to 70% of base wage, with no cap. Members will be able to go on VSTD for up to 2080 hours (52 weeks). Click here to view the comparison chart.
- Long-term disability (LTD) benefit will increase from 66 2/3 % to 70% of base wage, and will include more return-to-work opportunities, plus five years of wage protection.
- A new voluntary Paid Family Leave (VPFL) that’s better than the State Paid Family Leave program. The benefit will increase from 55% to 70% of base wage, with no cap. Members can go on VPFL for up to 320 hours (8 weeks) per year, with no waiting period. Click here to view the comparison chart.
- Preservation of existing sick leave bank hours (now called “capped sick leave hours”), which members will accumulate through the end of 2016. Members will still be able to use sick hours they’ve previously accumulated. Upon retirement, remaining sick bank hours will be converted to their retiree health reimbursement account (RHRA) at a rate of 20%.
- A revised incidental sick pay system beginning , that includes 80 hours of sick pay per year (40 hours on January 1, 40 hours on July 1).
The company and union have also agreed to:
- A reopener on retiree benefits in 2016. The union is committed to keeping its promise to our retirees.
- Address other issues in Ad Hoc negotiations. IBEW 1245 has a stellar track record when it comes to finding win-win solutions in Ad Hoc. Any agreements that come out of Ad Hoc may be voted on only by the affected members.
To learn more, be sure to attend your local unit meeting in August!
Click here to view the unit meeting schedule.
Ballots will be mailed on Thursday, Aug. 20 and counted on Tuesday, Sept. 22.
Read the full Physical TA here.
Read the full Clerical TA here.
View Frequently Asked Questions and submit your own question here.
Comparison charts (click to view a larger version)
