In the worst economic crisis in decades, SEIU and Coalition Bargaining Teams voted unanimously Tuesday afternoon to recommend ratification by the membership of a plan to secure services, jobs, wages and contracts long enough to weather the economic storm.
The agreement will prevent layoffs and furloughs while helping up to 2,400 workers retire with dignity and saving the City close to half a billion dollars over two years. Once the full City Council approves the agreement at their Friday session, ballots will go out for a vote of the full membership of SEIU and its partner unions in the Coalition of LA City Unions.
Highlights of the plan:
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No mandatory furloughs and no layoffs in Coalition bargaining units for two years
–time for the economy to recover. -
No wage cuts. - Pushes raises back two years and extends contract two years to lock them in. All raises guaranteed.
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Additional money in later years to compensate for delayed raises: cash bonuses of 1.75% in 2011 and 2012 plus an extra 1.75% raise in 2013, the final year. - Renewal of the “Mutual Commitment to LA’s Future” through which the Coalition prevented layoffs and furloughs for Coalition union members.
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No other provisions of the contract change. - The Early Retirement Incentive Plan (ERIP) will be part of this agreement, subject to ratification by all the participants in the LACERS system: a combination of age/and or service credits seeking to retire up to 2,400 workers.
Additional protections and benefits:
- Coalition unions will receive proportional share of any new money to the General Fund as enhanced or accelerated wages and/or benefits.
- Savings in proprietary departments and special funds will be used to contract-in services to City workers.
- Job openings in all proprietary departments including DWP will be filled first by internal promotions.
- Savings from part-time workers’ sacrifice will go toward increasing the services they provide.
- City’s commitment to keep Coalition members in step with other city unions that might negotiate contracts before Coalition contracts expire.
Every inch of ground gained so far has come through member action.
While public workers across the country are being forced to take layoffs, furloughs and pay cuts, and residents suffer drastic service cuts, Los Angeles has the chance to lead again by embracing a solution that creates long-term fiscal stability, prioritizes direct service and invests in the future workforce.
All of the Coalition bargaining teams including SEIU’s voted Tuesday to recommend a yes vote to the members to ratify this agreement. All 19 Coalition bargaining units must approve it for it to take effect.
“I urge all Coalition members to vote yes because it benefits everyone. As a single mother, I cannot afford to lose $400-500 dollars a month from my paycheck. No coalition member can afford to lose that much money a month. I urge you to vote yes.” -Yolanda Estrada, AFSCME Legal Secretary, City Attorney’s Office
A detailed ratification summary and ballot with instructions will be mailed to your home next week.
Bargaining Team members and Worksite Organizers will set up worksite meetings over the coming weeks to help answer the many questions members will have about this proposed agreement.
Contact your Steward, Worksite Organizer for more information or to request a meeting. You can also call the Member Action Center at (877) 721-4YOU [4968].