Archived News
May 9, 2011: Caltrans Memorial gallery - Working the California roads is dangerous work. Caltrans has lost a total of 175 employees and these tragedies are in large part because drivers just aren't paying attention and are driving too fast. So slow down for the Cone Zone and help Caltrans keep our roads safe for all to enjoy. Take a look at the photo gallery from the Oakland and Sacramento Workers Memorial held on Tuesday, April 26 and Thursday, April 28, 2011.
- April 12, 2011: Photo gallery updates: Thanks to all of those Unit 12 members who came out in support of the workers in Wisconsin and for standing up for the rights of individuals to collectively bargain. Take a look at the new gallery of the rally on the Al Zampa bridge on April 4, 2011.
- March 30, 2011 - Help make April 4, 2011, and the days surrounding it a time to stand in solidarity with working people in Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana and dozens of other states where well-funded, right-wing corporate politicians are trying to take away the rights Dr. King gave his life for. A time to be creative, but clear: We are one. Get information on rallies across California now and attend one near you.
March 8, 2011 - Get the facts and make up your own mind about CalPERS and Public Pensions. Click here to read the "Top Five Facts You Should Know About CalPERS and Public Pensions." CalPERS recognizes that pensions and pension costs are a source of fiscal concern for the State and local government budgets. In the debate and discussion over pensions, it’s important to make decisions based on facts. Don't be fooled. Get the facts now.
Dec. 7, 2010 – IUOE State Unit 12 would like to congratulate the following Unit 12 members who received a Medal of Valor awarded by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Pablo Diaz, Leonardo Antonio Necochea Sr., Tommy A Neri and Pedro Vasquez of El Centro Caltrans all received a Gold medal for removing an unconscious woman from her vehicle after her accident caused a brush fire. Arthur R Grijalva of Caltrans, received a Silver medal. Click on photo to enlarge.
- November 19, 2010 – Two Professional & Personal Development days added to our contract!! IUOE Unit 12 negotiated additional benefits to be added to our 2010 – 2012 contract, entitling all Unit 12 employees two (2) additional days off per year (with no loss of pay). Click here for more information.
October 7, 2010: New Contract available:
View the new contract online or print it out for reading at your leisure. This Memorandum of Understanding, hereinafter "MOU" or "Agreement", is entered into by the State of California, hereinafter the "State" or the "State employer", and the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE, Craft Maintenance Division, State of California Locals 3, 12, 39 and 501, AFL CIO), hereinafter "IUOE", pursuant to the Dills Act, Government Code section 3517. The term "MOU" or "Agreement" as used herein means a written agreement provided under section 3517.5 of the Government Code. Download the new contract now.
- September 14, 2010: Southern California, Local 12: There were a couple of errors in the Local 12, news-report describing the final contract terms. The PLP starts September 2010 and expires in August 2011. (12 consecutive months). In addition, the 5% salary increase to top step members and it will start January 1, 2012.
- September 8, 2010: Furloughs California Supreme Court re-heard litigation on the Furlough fight. After much of the same arguments, they are still at a stand-still. The court has up to 90 days to make a decision. Whatever the decision from the court is, it will not add additional furloughs to our Unit 12 members while their under their current contract (7/1/2010 – 6/30/2012). However, if the courts decide that Furloughs are illegal that could mean our Unit 12 members will get money back in their pockets for their previous Furlough days they had to endure.
- August 23, 2010: MOU Signed by the Governor After being signed by Governor Schwarzenegger, IUOE State Unit 12 now has a current contract with the State of California. Unit 12 employees will receive a full paycheck for the month of August 2010.
- August 20, 2010: Good News! The ratification bill (SB846) passed with a vote of 31 -1 and is now headed to the governor's office for signature. Stay tuned for details as they become available.
- August 19, 2010: IT'S FURLOUGH TIME AGAIN! Bargaining UNIT 12 employees are EXEMPT from furloughs due to the Tentative Agreement they have with the state. Click here for more details!
- August 12, 2010: Tentative Agreement Passed by Assembly - The California State Assembly voted today to ratify IUOE’s Tentative agreement late this morning. The Ratification bill (SB846) is on its way to the State Senate for their approval. At this time, it is estimated that the Senate will vote on the bill sometime during the middle of next week.
- August 5, 2010: Tentative Agreement Ratified - Votes were counted late into the evening and it was confirmed that Unit 12 members ratified the Tentative Agreement with the State of California by a 2 to 1 margin. The agreement still needs to be passed and signed by the Legislature. In the upcoming days, we will be working hard with our Legislative Analyst to pass our Appropriation and MOU Bill.
- July 16, 2010: Judge denies Schwarzenegger's minimum wage order -
Sacramento County Superior Court Judge Patrick Marlette today denied Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's request to immediately compel State Controller John Chiang to pay state employees minimum wage. The denial means there will be a hearing on the issues on July 26, with a full hearing sometime in August, but Marlette's ruling is a boost for about 200,000 state workers, who were facing paychecks for $7.25 an hour for the July pay period. Click here for to read entire news story.
- July 16, 2010: More clarifications on pension language - The increased pension contribution deduction will start the month the MOU is ratified. There will not be a deduction for the month of July 2010 if the contract is ratified in August 2010. Click here for more details.
- July 12, 2010: Important Contract Language Update - There was an error to some of the language on the first posted summary. Please note: The retirement structure for existing bargaining unit 12 members has not changed. Click here to download the updated contract language.
- July 8, 2010: Additional meeting set for Northern California. Unit 12 Business Representatives are hosting an informational meeting at the Gridley Fairgrounds Flower Bowl Facility on Wednesday, July 14th beginning at 6:00 pm to discuss the new contract & answer any questions. Click here for a flyer with contact information.
- July 7, 2010: Southern California dates and locations are happening now for the contract ratification process. Click here to get all of the dates and locations.
- July 2, 2010, 9:30 am: Unit 12 exempt from pay cuts! Read the letter about why this will not happen! Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's Department of Personnel Administration has sent pay instructions to Controller John Chiang, telling him to withhold state worker pay to the federal minimum allowed.
- June 29, 2010, 4:00 pm: Quick Summary of new contract! Click here to read details. As you know in the Governors May revise he outlined his proposal for cuts in employee compensation and the threat of the federal minimum wage if he didn't get them. Your bargaining team worked extremely hard to secure a contract that would limit the impact of his cuts and avoid the federal minimum wage threat. Stay tuned for updates as they become available.
- June 28, 2010, 8:55 am: IUOE State Unit 12 has reached a tentative agreement with DPA regarding the 2010-2012 contract negotiations. Stay tuned for updates as they become available.
- June 22, 2010: The governor wants salary reductions and pension reform, however, these items need to be bargained at the negotiation table, and not with the press, which the governor has tried to do. If he does not get what he wants by June 30, he may impose the federal minimum
wage for all of his employees or try to implement the 5/5/5 stated above. He said no agreement would be reached without some kind of pension reform. Read the latest issue of the Unit 12 Tribune now.