Published March 21, 2009: Members Ratify New Agreement

Published March 21, 2009

Members ratify new agreement

Overwhelming vote for contract to protect jobs & contain health insurance premiums

In a decision that reflects California’s tough economic conditions, Local 1000 members voted overwhelmingly to ratify a new contract that provides the strongest layoff protections state workers have ever had in return for a temporary 4.6 percent pay cut.

“I’m pleased that our members ratified an agreement that will provide some stability in these uncertain times,” Local 1000 President Yvonne Walker said. “This agreement gives our members layoff protections at a time when California’s unemployment rate is above 10 percent and the state’s budget deficit continues to mount. Our members voted to protect their jobs and their families during this economic crisis.”

The agreement was supported by 91 percent of voters. Votes were counted at Local 1000 headquarters in Sacramento in a process overseen by frontline workers that included many member observers. The agreement, which expires in June 2010, affects the 95,000 workers represented by Local 1000. In order to fully take effect the agreement must be approved by the state legislature and signed by the governor.

Members cast their ballots in person or by mail. Since late February, there have been 555 union meetings where members discussed the agreement and voted.

Here are some of the major provisions of the new agreement:

1.      The agreement provides new guarantees that workers represented by Local 1000 can only be laid off when their departments are eliminated or when the entire office or facility where they work is shut down.

2.      The new contract reduced the governor’s demand for two unpaid furlough days per month, which equaled a 9.2 percent pay cut, to a temporary reduction of 4.6 percent. As part of the agreement, each worker accrues one personal day off per month that can be used similar to vacation time.

3.      In another cost-saving feature of the agreement, Lincoln’s Birthday and Columbus Day were traded for two personal holidays, which are similar to vacation days. State offices will be open for normal business and employees will no longer receive premium pay for working on those two days.

4.      The agreement excludes sick leave from overtime calculations, but Local 1000-represented employees can still count all other leaves toward the 40 hours in one week that must be worked before overtime pay kicks in.

5.      The agreement freezes employee contributions for health insurance at roughly 2008 levels though 2010.

6.      The agreement includes a new career enhancement program with the state initially contributing $1 million.

Download and view a copy of the full text of the Tentative Agreement

Editor's Note:

The new agreement has been introduced in the legislature as Assembly Bill 964 (AB 964). Click here to subscribe to email updates on the status of the bill.

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