I previously told you that SEIU Local 688, the bargaining unit for NorCo's unionized Human services workers, was pondering a strike to commence on June 21. That strike has been averted by a potential deal.
According to a highly placed county source, "we have a tentative agreement to settle the contract pending approval of the bargaining unit."
No additional details were provided.
Human Services union workers recently rejected a new three-year contract that addresses salary more aggressively than I've seen before.
Year one is a 2.75% step increase plus cash equal to 4.5% rolled into the base. Year two is a repeat of year one. Year three is a 4% COLA.
Those already at the top of their pay scales would get $1,750 cash bonuses in years one and two, along with the 4% COLA in Year 3.
Basically, the proposal amounts to a 13% payhike over three years.
The county even sweetened this deal by offering a $500 retention cash bonus on July 1, 2024 and January 1, 2025.
Whatever the merits of the complaints that Human Services workers might or might not have, it is good to see that they placed the children and elderly they serve over their own financial interests.
