Shasta County General Unit Contract Proposal Ratified By Members

Monday, September 15, 2008

Mediator Submits Recommendation To Both Sides

After participating in several mediation sessions the State Mediator assigned to the Impasse submitted her recommendation for settlement directly to the Union and County Teams.  Union members attending an update meeting voted to put the Recommendation out to the Union membership for a vote.

After an all day ballot process on September 15th, the General Unit Bargaining Team and several member volunteers stayed late at the Union Office to tabulate the ballot count.

The overwhelming majority of voters approved the two year, 6% package that will run from May 1, 2008 through April 30, 2010 (3% COLA in November of each year).

The next step is for the County to take the Mediator’s Recommendation to the Board of Supervisors in closed session for approval.  It was represented to the Union Team that if the Union approved the package the County Team would recommend it to the Board of Supervisors.  Assuming the Board gives the proposed settlement the nod, the final step is for the County to draft the revised contractr language.  UPEC Staff, the Union Team and any member who wishes to do so will review the language for accuracy and then both sides will sign the new contract.

After the new copy is signed, copies will be provided to each member.

On another matter, the Union is looking to set a regular monthly meeting and would appreciate suggestions regarding what day of the week and week of the month to set the meeting.

Thank you to all members who participated in the bargaining process this year, and in particular to the Bargaining Team:  Steve Suske, Diane White, Brett Cobabe, Ron Huey and Debbie Watenpaugh.  Union staff negotiators Dave Ritchie and Steve Allen assisted the Union team.  It was tough going this year due to the downturn in the economy and the fiasco over the State budget but the member vote signifies a job well done.