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SEIU 721 members working for the City of Ventura overwhelmingly ratified their contract on Jan. 12, 2011. The final proposal agreed upon by the membership had a more balanced approach than the City’s original proposed contract terms.
“With this agreement, employees were able to achieve a contract that recognized our concerns about rising health insurance costs, among other work issues, while helping the city maintain fiscal health” said Richard Newsham, Civic Engagement Specialist.
Contract details:
- Employer paid increases for healthcare (optional benefit).
- Employees will contribute 4.5% toward their retirement costs over the course of the contract.
- Increase to Comp-Time-Off accrual from 40 to 60 hours.
- 27 hours of personal leave for SEIU members.
- Term: July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2013 with union option to extend for six months.
This contract was achieved through a unified effort of the City’s safety unions and SEIU 721 members with rallies and attendance at city council meetings.
What did the City give you beside extra 20 hours of comp time?
@ Denise, we didn’t actually get 20 extra hours of comp time. Our bank of comp time was expanded by 20 hours. In the past, we could not claim more than 40 hours of comp time; that bank has now been increased to 60 hours.
In addition, we received some money in our Optional Benefits to help cover the increasing costs of health care and 27 hours of floating holidays on a Use it or Lose it basis.