After 16 months of bargaining during an unprecedented time, we are happy to inform you that the Coalition of Unions reached a Tentative Agreement with the County this week in negotiations for a successor to the 2018-2020 Master Labor Agreement. The term of the new Coalition Labor Agreement (CLA) will be January 1, 2021 thru December 31, 2024. 

Here are some of the highlights:

General Wage Increases will be 1.5% for 2021 (with retroactivity), 3% for 2022, 3% for 2023 and 3% for 2024.  We have also secured a Union Bonus (only available for Coalition represented members) ranging from $1000-$4000 dependent on base income. This is the largest bonus ever secured through collective bargaining at the County and it reflects the incredible efforts of our frontline workers during a pandemic as well as the unique challenges facing public sector workers during this period. 

Additional, highlights include:

• Two additional holidays added in 2022 (Juneteenth and Indigenous People’s Day);
• $450,000 towards the Professional Development Fund to help members of the Coalition seeking additional training, education and professional development opportunities;
• Improvements in Reclassification, Special Duty, Grievance Processing/Discipline, Safety, and Parking;
• New language regarding Telecommuting, Equity Based Bargaining and building a Joint Childcare Trust. 

In addition to the positive gains listed, we were also able to stave off proposals limiting leave accruals, reduction of personal days, limits on working out of class and efforts to standardize language in a way that undermined superior provisions in small-table labor agreements.

We would be remiss if we did not extend tremendous gratitude to the 32 Shop Stewards that joined us at the bargaining table. While we still have more negotiations to do as we move to finalize the individual Appendix Agreements governing our Teamsters 117 bargaining units, we will stand behind our Coalition sisters and brothers to ensure everyone achieves a fair deal! Our success depends on strong leadership from our member leaders and broad engagement from all of you every step of the way.

More information will be forthcoming regarding the contract ratification process and timing. Thank you all. We are proud to represent you. If there are any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to your Shop Steward or your Union Representatives.