2008 – Contract Negotiations update

November 1, 2008 - Contract Negotiations Update

July 24, 2008

Unit 12 Update

Contract Negotiations

As you all know the Unit 12 contract expired on June 30^th of this year, but you should be aware that under the current law as long as the State and the Union are negotiating, the contract remains in effect.

The current status of the contract negotiations is as bad as the current state of the budget.  We have been told over and over,
that there is no money for any wage increases, and that the State needs us to help with the current budget problems by
decreasing benefits and possibly raising State income taxes.  Well, that is something that we have never done in the past and
we certainly are not planning to do so now.

As the State faces a $15.2 billion deficit, Schwarzenegger plans to reduce most of the state employees to the federal minimum
wage of $6.55 per hour to preserve cash until lawmakers reach a budget deal.  State employees account for 11 percent of
Sacramento area’s work force and Schwarzenegger’s plan could remove $15 million each workday from the area economy
according to Jim Zamora, a spokes person for Local 1000 of the Service Employees International Union.  

IUOE State Unit 12 along with some of the Local’s business agents and numerous members met at the State Capital today,
7/24/2008, to protest this appalling lack of  due diligence, in coming up with a balanced budget, (ON TIME) and for the lack
compassion for the men and women that keep this great State of ours running day in and day out.  The protest took place at
noon and there were a few hundred State workers present.  Three State Senators heard our voices from inside their offices
and came out to address our concerns.  Way to Go State workers!  Keep lifting your voices loudly until they hear us loud and
clear!  

In our ongoing meetings with the Governors office we have steadfastly taken the position that we will not support any
agreement that takes money out of the pockets of our members and/or reduces their benefits.  In fact we believe that the
State should be paying a larger portion of the health insurance cost, (which would be almost as good as putting money in
your pocket) in addition to wage increases for all employees.

At the present time it does not appear that we are anywhere near close to reaching an agreement with the State and will be
unable to do so until a budget is passed.  Basically, we have been forced to put our negotiations with the State on hold and
there will be little or no discussions, with the State, until there is a ratified budget

2008 Holiday Schedule (REVISED)

Article 9 of the Memorandum of Understanding for Unit 12 states the following:

A. With the exception of those employees covered by the Department of Water Resources rotating shift provisions in Article 8,
all full-time employees shall be entitled one hundred twelve (112) hours of holiday credit as provided in section "B" and "C" 
below, and shall receive additional holiday credits for any official holidays declared by the Governor.

B. The holiday credits for full-time employees shall accrue as follows:

On January 1st 8 hours of holiday credit

On the third Monday in January 8 hours of holiday credit

On February 12th 8 hours of holiday credit

On the third Monday in February 8 hours of holiday credit

On March 31st 8 hours of holiday credit

On the last Monday in May 8 hours of holiday credit

On July 4th 8 hours of holiday credit

On the first Monday in September 8 hours of holiday credit

On the second Monday of October 8 hours of holiday credit

On November 11th 8 hours of holiday credit

On Thanksgiving Day 8 hours of holiday credit

On the day after Thanksgiving 8 hours of holiday credit

On December 25th 8 hours of holiday credit

C. On July 1st, all permanent employees shall receive eight (8) hours of holiday credit in lieu of a personal holiday credit.

AFLAC

We have had several complaints about AFLAC insurance.  IUOE Unit 12 Central Division does not offer AFLAC insurance,
despite anybody's claims. This will not affect those members who are currently enrolled.

Mileage Reimbursement for Use of Personal Vehicle on
State Business Increases

As you are aware, prior to your newly negotiated contract, the reimbursement rate for use of personal
vehicles is base on the Federal Standard Mileage Rate.

Effective July 1, 2008, the negotiated rate increased to 58.5 cents per mile from 50.5 cents per mile.  
If you utilized your personal vehicle and were not paid at the increased rate, you should submit a mileage claim retroactively.