Negotiations with Teamsters began in October of 2016. After efforts from both Teamsters and the County, a proposal was brought to and ratified by the members of Teamsters on November 1, 2016. The terms of the MOU have been reviewed and discussed with the Board. The Board is now being asked to formally approve the MOU for this bargaining unit which specifies wages, benefits, and other terms and conditions of employment for a term through December 31, 2019.

The most significant aspects of the successor MOU are the following stipulations:

1. Effective December 25, 2016, unit employee salaries will be increased by three percent (3%);
2. Effective December 24, 2017, unit employee salaries will be increased by three percent (3%);
3. Effective December 23, 2018, unit employee salaries will be increased by two percent (2%);
4. Effective December 25, 2016, unit employees required to possess and maintain a Commercial California drivers license shall receive an additional $0.50 per hour;
5. Effective December 25, 2016, employees in the classification of Grounds Maintenance Worker II/I or Lead Ground Maintenance Worker shall receive an additional 5% of base pay when assigned to clean up transient camps;
6. Effective December 25, 2016, an employee in the classification of Equipment Mechanic, when assigned to Fall River Mills, who performs welding, maintains digital work orders, and acts as parts store manager in addition to the duties required by the classification, shall receive an additional 5% of base pay;
7. Effective within 30 days of the effective date of the MOU the county will provide Teamsters with the past overfunded premium surplus funds to use for other Teamster employee benefit programs;
8. Effective December 25, 2016, the unit boot allowance shall be $250;
9. Effective December 25, 2016, the unit tool allowance shall be $800 for eligible employees within Public Works and $300 for Cabling Technicians and Telecommunications Technicians; and
10. All employees within the Teamsters Unit hired on or after January 1, 2017 and current employees hired  prior to January 1, 2017 who choose to opt-in, will participate in a 401(a) Plan wherein the County will contribute the agreed upon amount for retiree medical benefits.

In addition, there were clerical and other minor changes made to this successor MOU in order to be consistent with other County MOU’s and the Shasta County Personnel Rules.

The Teamsters bargaining team and unit employees should be recognized for their professionalism throughout the bargaining process that led to this agreement. 

There are no alternatives since the proposed MOU is the product of a good faith process in which both Teamsters and County have reached an agreement.

The County Administrative Office has reviewed the recommendation and has the concurrence of the County Executive Officer (CEO). Gage Dungy, Partner of Liebert Cassidy Whitmore served as the County’s Chief Labor Negotiator during this process.

The recommendation equates to an approximate cost of $507,000 due to the increase of employee salaries and benefits for the term of this MOU.

cc:          Larry Lees, County Executive Officer

               Terri Howat, County Chief Financial Officer

               Laura Sumner, Administrative Analyst I

               Gage Dungy, Shasta County Chief Labor Negotiator

               Dave Hawley, Teamsters Chief Labor Negotiator

               Brian Muir, Auditor - Controller

               Sherri Jenkins, Managing Accountant – Auditor

               Keri Burke, Accountant Auditor II-Confidential

               Shelley Forbes, Assistant Director of Support Services

               Melissa Merritt, Agency Staff Services Analyst I-Conf

               Linda Mekelburg, Personnel Assistant-Confidential

               Melissa Mansfield, Personnel Assistant-Confidential