Archived News
- June 5, 2012: Read the overview of the Governors proposal below:
GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL
Reduction in Employee Compensation - Under Control Section 3.90, the Administration proposes reducing the State’s employee compensation costs by $839 million ($402 million General Fund). This represents about 5 percent reduction in pay for State workers, equivalent to a one-day-per-month reduction. Under Control Section 3.90, as submitted to the Legislature on May 14th, the Administration proposes to achieve these savings through (1) the collective bargaining process (2) legislative reductions in the State workweek and changes in work schedules and/or (3) furloughs and/or (4) other reductions for represented and non-represented employees achieved with existing administrative authority." The proposed control section authorizes these actions "notwithstanding any other provision of law". The May Revision summary document, however, suggests that the administration wishes to use the collective bargaining process "to avoid furloughs and to mitigate layoffs". Specifically, the summary document suggest the administration plans to achieve the savings through (1) a reduction in pay resulting from employees working two fewer hours each week and (2) changes in employee and retiree health coverage to offset rising state health care costs.
A New Workweek: In the summary document, the Administration proposes to achieve the reduction in employee work hours by adopting a four-day workweek for the majority of State employees. (The only exception to the new workweek appears to apply to employees who work at 24-hour institutions) The Administration suggest the this new workweek would allow the State to (1) offer better services to the public by being open longer that the traditional 8-hour workday and (2) reduce energy usage in State-owned and leased buildings.
- May 11, 2012: IUOE responds to Governor proposal - Read it now.
Read the letter from IUOE State Unit 12 in response to the Governors proposed cuts to State Worker's compensation. Click here to read IUOE's response. For more information about what the Governor is proposing, read this recent Sacramento Bee article outlining what they may be proposing.
- April 26, 2012: On April 25, 2012 IUOE State Unit 12 conducted its official ballot count to determine whether or not to extend the current MOU with the State of California 1 year, or reopen the contract for renegotiations. The official ballots were gathered and counted by a team of 8 Unit 12 Rank File Members to insure the integrity of the final count.
Out of the 7,754 ballots sent to its current membership, 2094 ballots were returned. Below is a breakdown of the final count:
Yes, extend the current contract - 1,911
No, renegotiate - 154
(Defaced – non countable ballots) - 29Therefore, the agreement to extend the contract for 1 more year was passed by a 93% margin. The current 2010 – 2012 MOU will now be in effect until 7/1/2013.
Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact your Local Business Representative.
- April 9, 2012: The California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) Customer
Service and Outreach Division will conduct a free 2-hour webinar at 9:00a.m. on Friday
April 27, 2012. The session, designed for members who are one to three years away from
retirement, will be repeated on Wednesday June 27, 2012 at 1 p.m. Sign up now and get all of the details to plan for a better retirement now.
- March 23, 2012: Negotiations Update - As a result of a number of meetings with our Legislative Analyst, the IUOE Unit 12 Bargaining team met on March 8 to discuss the pros and cons of re-opening Unit 12’s MOU with the State of California. After long discussions, the Unit 12 Negotiating Team unanimously agreed that it is in the best interest of the Unit 12 membership to request a 1 (one) year extension of the current contract, with the addition of Health & Welfare for the rest of 2012 & 2013. The Health and Welfare proposal to the State would require the State to pick up 80% of the increased costs for the rest of 2012 through 2013.
As a result of the Unit 12 Negotiating Teams decision, on March 22, 2012 IUOE State Unit 12 "Sunshined" with the State of California. (Sunshining is where bargaining proposals are presented in an open format that allow the public an opportunity to see the topics on which each side intends to bargain.) In addition to working on ratification of the current MOU, IUOE is continuing to work with the State of California Department of Personnel and the Department of Water Resources rectify DWR's recruitment and retention issue.
- Oct. 1, 2011: Membership Application available online - The Unit 12 Membership Application can be filled out and printed online. Use the form to type in your information and print it out and sign the form to complete your membership application. Get it now or find it later on the Forms page.
July 11, 2011: CHP says, "Move Over For Caltrans Workers Or Pay Up" The statewide campaign to get drivers to slow down or move over in work zones kicks off today. Drivers will see more digital billboards reminding them of the safety law. Officials said the effort to make people aware of the "move over" rule was necessary after three Caltrans workers were killed in the last two months. Read more . . .
June 27, 2011: Influence on Public Awareness - Unit 12 Director, Tim Neep is down in Caltrans District 11 this week to pay tribute to the fallen Caltrans worker. He will continue to bring attention and awareness on the Caltrans Workers Safety programs and the need to fix the ailing roads and infrastructure of the State of California. Over the past 20 years, the IUOE California State Unit 12 has influenced a number of programs that help heighten public awareness on Caltrans Worker Safety Programs. According to the Federal Highway Administration, in 2008 alone, there were 720 work zone fatalities nationally. In addition, there have been over 40,000 injuries in work zones. Find out what actions the Operating Engineers have taken during this time period. Download actions list now.
- June 22, 2011: Statewide Safety Stand Down - As we mourn the death of a third Caltrans Employee killed in Caltrans District 11 in the past six weeks, Caltrans has announced a stand down for safety to review all safety procedures statewide. IUOE Bargaining Unit 12 Director Tim Neep assisted top Caltrans officials in four of these Safety Stand-Down meetings in San Diego. IUOE is very concerned for its members safety on and off our public roadway’s and is diligently working with its members and the Department to assure current Safety procedures are adequate and properly being followed. Get more details . . .
May 19, 2011: State Budget Cuts threaten our jobs - Budget cuts have a devastating impact on the infrastructure that keeps our economy rolling and our jobs growing. If legislators fail to extend current taxes, we'll lose even more of our jobs in both the public and private sector. Every worker has a state in this fight. Fixing our roads and infrastructure keeps our economy flowing and will save thousands of construction jobs.
Find out how you can help. Learn more at: WorkingCalifornia.org.
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.
2010
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.