Lassen County General Unit Accepts Contract

Wednesday, February 02, 2011

On January 26, 2011 a vote was held for the Union members of the Lassen County General Unit to accept or reject a new contract. Just over 40% of the voting members turned out for the vote. The vote was 3 to1 in favor of accepting the mediator’s recommended settlement. This contract will run through June 30, 2012. The following items were accepted by both sides: New hires after ratification of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) shall pay the full 7% member contribution to PERS for their first six months of employment. The County will retain the right to provide new hires with the 2%@60 PERS retirement formula as well as the highest thirty-six (36) consecutive month’s formula upon adoption of a contract amendment with PERS. Effective no sooner than 2/27/2011 employees shall pay 1% of the 7% member contribution to PERS, on a pre-tax basis. Effective the first pay period following 7/1/2011 said employee contribution shall increase to a total of 3% of the 7%. Effective no sooner than 2/27/2011 employees shall receive a 1% salary reduction through the pay period including 7/1/2011, with the 1% then reinstated. Effective no sooner than 2/27/2011 there shall be a $20.00 monthly reduction in the County’s contribution to the flexible benefit plan. Effective the pay period following 7/1/2011 the $20.00 shall be reinstated. Effective 6/30/2012 the escalator clause on the PERS health insurance shall be deleted. 

I would like to thank the bargaining team members who worked very hard to get the members this contract. They were:

Keith Coker
Katherine Nielson
Linda Kuhn
John Spitsen
Jennifer Branning
Paula Lawton (alternate)

Also thank you to all of the members who came out and voted.