On May 6, 2025, your 005 bargaining team met with Sacramento County for our next session of contract negotiations. We were able to reach a tentative agreement on the proposal for alternate work schedules, which would expand the 9/80 and 4/10 schedule options to the whole County. After the County rejected our previous proposal on DHA application registration differentials, we counter proposed with a 2.5% pay differential. We also offered a counter proposal to parental leave, expanding the current contract language. Additionally, we offered a counterproposal to the County’s response to our ask for paralegals to have their certifications paid for. The County included language which would require pre-approval for reimbursement. Our new language relays that responsibility onto the county – to arrange and pay for external training if it cannot be provided in-house.
In response to our proposal to increase EAP sessions from 6 to 12 per year, the County stated it would cost them around $7000 per month to increase this benefit. They implied they do not want to spend their budget on this. Regarding strike language, the County stated that language guaranteeing no strikes during the life of the contract is a “must-have.” We do not share the same sentiment. The County also handed us a revised version of our salary survey, stating that the broader market was not used in the past and that the standard market should be used. We do not agree with this, as it skews the County’s position. It sets us within the 5% median when we know very well that the current wages are not livable.
Toward the end of our session, the County Benefits Manager came to discuss the County’s position on healthcare plans. They alleged that the new language they proposed to add would allow them to shop for healthcare plans, whereas the previous contract language prohibited that. We maintained our position that the contract doesn’t prevent this, and they can offer other plans to us, which we would assess and decide on as we see fit.
Our next bargaining session is on May 14, 2025. Please remember to wear RED in support of your bargaining team.
