ORLAND CITY EMPLOYEES SETTLE CONTRACT

Wednesday, September 01, 2010

The two bargaining units (general unit and mid-management unit) represented by UPEC at the City of Orland ratified new two year contracts with the assistance of Chief Steward Jack Deniz and Union negotiator Steve Allen.

Orland employees suffered greatly last year in a cooperative attempt to successfully resolve a gaping hole in the City’s General Fund, taking an eight percent (8%) wage cut by paying PERS Member Contribution, freezing step raises and losing vision and dental coverage.

This year was better, with the cuts taken last year paying off to help right the City’s budget.  No further cuts were taken and the frozen step increases were unfrozen so that employees may once again progress through their 5% merit steps.

The ratified contracts focused on insurance, agreeing to change medical insurance cover from PERS to CSAC-EIA.  Beginning January 1, 2010 the City will pay the entire medical premium for employees and dependents, with future increases beginning January 2012 to be shared on an 80/20 split between the City and employees.

Rebuilding what was lost, the City will re-implement dental and vision coverage beginning January 2012.

Success in these difficult times can sometimes be measured by regaining what was lost.  That is the case this year in Orland where the success in negotiations can be attributed to the cooperative and positive relationship between the City employee, the City Council, City Manager Paul Poczubut and the Union.