Hard-fought wins for workers in new contract

Updated 8:00 a.m., February 17

Tentative agreement reduces furloughs, freezes employee health insurance contribution & adds layoff protections
After more than nine months of hard-fought negotiations Local 1000 has reached tentative agreement with the state on a new contract, despite the deficit-riddled state budget exploding red ink, a governor emboldened by a court ruling upholding his right to furlough state workers and mounting public pressure on state employees as thousands of Californians are laid off each week.

"More than 65 elected negotiators from our nine bargaining units fought hard to beat back the governor's excessive demands," said Local 1000 President Yvonne Walker. "We had to wage battles in the Legislature, the media and at the bargaining table to reach a contract agreement given the worsening economy. This tentative agreement increases job security for our members, provides savings for the state and improves conditions for every state employee represented by Local 1000."

Major provisions: furloughs halved, layoff protections greatly expanded
Major provisions of the contract include:

• The governor's furlough demand is reduced from two days to eight hours.
• Layoff protections are greatly expanded for all employees.
• State contributions for health insurance premiums are increased.
• Two personal holidays are added in exchange for Lincoln's Birthday and Columbus Day.
• Continuing education and career development is expanded.
• The tentative agreement also improves language or preserves victories from previous contracts on more than 350 separate issues.

Click here to read more about the contract provisions.

Download the TA here.