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Approval of Collective Bargaining Agreement with AFSCME Local 624
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The Water Authority and AFSCME Local 624 Blue Collar Series began contract negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement on May 9, 2019, as the current contract is due to expire on June 30, 2019. Over the course of six sessions ending on June 5, 2019, the Water Authority and AFSCME Local 624 reached an agreement on all Articles of the contract. On June 12, 2019, a tentative Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Water Authority and AFSCME Local 624 was ratified by vote of the Union Membership.
SUMMARY:
The CBA includes a three year wage proposal from FY20 through FY22. For FY20, Article 9 Wages includes a 2% base pay (1 Step) increase for all bargaining unit employees and a one-time lump sum payment of $150 for employees who are not currently in demotion status. FY21 and FY22 include a 2% base pay (1 Step) increase for each of those fiscal years.
Shift differential for employees required to work swing and graveyard shifts was increased by 5% to compensate for possible impacts on quality of life and to attract more employees to bid for these shifts.
Language in Article 32 was clarified to cap the increase in pay for temporary upgrades to no more than the rate of pay for the manager who normally serves in that position.
Eight other non-financial Articles were the subject of minor revisions, mostly clarifying the expectations of the parties in the employment relationship. The approval of this CBA, along with approval of AFSCME Local 2962 Clerical Series CBA which is also on the Board's agenda, combined with AFSCME Local 3022 Management Series four year CBA approved in 2018, now aligns all three union contracts to extend to June 30, 2022.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The CBA's 2% increase in wages is accounted for in the ten-year financial plan of the Water Authority, and aligns with the FY20 Operating Budget recently approved. The one-time lump sum payments will be absorbed wit...
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