After a successful Tentative Agreement (TA) voting process, 61.5% of voting SEIU Local 721 members voted in support of the new 4-year contract.
The newly ratified 2016-2020 contract covers Riverside City workers who were negotiating with the City since the Spring and were working without a contract since July 1st.
The ratification vote a puts a bookend to a bargaining process that propelled SEIU Local 721 members to show their unity and determination at City Hall numerous times, and led members to organize worksite solidarity actions throughout the City.
The pressure SEIU Local 721 members placed on management delivered an increase in employer contributions starting Dec. 2016 until Dec. 2017 to offset the shared costs in the latter years of the contract. The City was determined to not increase employer contributions but ultimately caved in to member pressure. No other Riverside City union won an increase in employer contributions in the first year of the contract!
Now the Tentative Agreement heads to Riverside City Council for approval on Tuesday, November 8th.
Highlights of the new contract:
- $1,500 in bonuses by July 1, 2017, and 6% to 15% raises of the life of the contract
- Sick time hours will now be counted towards receiving overtime pay
- Paid Cesar Chavez Holiday starting in 2019
- 2 “exception days” per year