After two months of negotiations, Simi Valley members voted on their new contract on July 8. Throughout the negotiations, SEIU 721 members continued to propose alternatives to permanent cuts that would address a temporary shortfall while not impacting services or the workers who serve the City. In the end, a strong contract was achieved that strengthened the voice of workers and maintained quality services for Simi Valley residents.
“Negotiating during a recession is not easy but the support we had at the table from the entire membership was instrumental in achieving a contract that preserves services and jobs” said Ramona Mejia, Senior Engineering Technician and bargaining committee member.
Summary of the 2010-2013 Contract:
- No Layoffs
- Stronger contract language to protect jobs if the City’s financial condition changes
- Maintained retiree health benefit for current employees
- Stronger policy language about security cameras for Transit Coach Operators
Being also a part of the bargaining team I can say this was a contract had nothing but give backs in it and we managed to come out with less taken than Management did.
The outcome was a result of the team members & staff showing that GASB was not being presented as written, and that the funding of the retiree medical was being front loaded and the City needed to make this program a part of it’s base as it has other bargaining units of the City of Simi Valley. We also managed to have surplus insurance money put into trust accounts for our medical, and the employer allowed to vote as they have let management do for the last forty years.
I would like to say thanks to the SEIU Staff for their expert knowledge dealing with my employer during these trying times, the hard work Laura Espinoza and Rose Rangel did was outstanding as was all the back up work the Virgil Office & Ventura Staff did to keep the talks rolling was just Great; also I need to thank the other members, Nathan, Bernie, Ramona, Jeff, and Nancy for all the hard work they did we as a team did together.