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The latest updates on bargaining this week in Regions 2 and 3. We’ll be bargaining next week in Region 1. While the specific issues in contention differ somewhat from place to place, the budget issues discussed in the Region 2 update and the courts’ general lack of recognition of our value is relevant everywhere.
With our contracts expired in Regions 1, 2 and 3, year’s end and the holidays fast approaching, CFI members are asking what on earth is happening in negotiations. We are still bargaining but progress is very slow and there have been many scheduling delays.
On October 23, the Union came to the table ready for a response to the comprehensive counter
proposal we’d presented at the last session, and we received one.
Region Two Bargaining Update
Agreement, understanding: The statement (oral or written) of an exchange of promises; “they had an agreement that they would not interfere in each other’s business”; “there was an understanding between management and the workers”
On October 1st, the Union presented a complete counter proposal to the Region 3 courts covering all issues on the table. This was our fifth bargaining session in, and given the contract’s September 30 expiration, the Union committee is eager to reach an agreement.
Last Friday, September 19, we held our fourth bargaining session in Region 3, and received seven counter proposals to those we brought to the table. The wage offer for full time employees is a total offer of 4.5% over the term of a three-year contract, and it’s even less for part time and intermittent employees. The other big issue, hours, has yet to be discussed.
Last Friday’s bargaining session, our third, was uneventful as is expected at the beginning of bargaining. We did reach a tentative agreement regarding information that the Region will regularly provide to the union. Other proposals exchanged were about offers of employment, leaves, and benefits. We did not receive a response to the union’s wage proposal that was presented at the prior session.
At yesterday’s bargaining session, our fifth meeting, the Union and Region 2 had meaningful dialogue about our mutual and divergent interests relating to cross-assignment procedures and for dealing with benefit changes negotiated by the bargaining units we are linked to in each county for purposes of setting benefit levels and costs.
In our second bargaining session yesterday, management and union bargaining committees continued with the initial exchange of proposals. Based on what’s on the table to date, it is clear there is a gulf between the Region and the Union’s visions for your job.
Sat May 5 in Fresno
Homicide Investigation, the Culture of Illegal Street Drugs, the Post Mortem, Gang Sets and Subsets. 3 or 6 hrs CIMCE, free lunch. Details »