Board Defers Decision On Imposition Of Contract Terms On Union

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — The Board of Supervisors Tuesday postponed a debate on whether to impose contract terms on a collective bargaining unit representing building maintenance workers, code enforcement personnel, surveyors, office assistants and others in Riverside County government.

In the interest of keeping negotiations alive with Laborers International Union of North America Local 777, the board decided to approve a month's delay in deciding on imposition. The matter will be revisited on Feb. 26.

On Dec. 11, the board deferred an imposition decision after then- retiring Supervisors Marion Ashley and John Tavaglione expressed optimism that a deal might be worked out with LIUNA, making a unilateral course by the county unwarranted.

Ashley and Tavaglione left office on Dec. 31. It is unknown how their successors, Jeff Hewitt and Karen Spiegel, will vote on the Executive Office proposal if a deal can't be struck.

The board last month voted 3-2 in favor of imposing terms on Service Employees International Union Local 721.

Both LIUNA's and SEIU's prior four-year contracts with the county expired in the fall of 2016.

The board declared an impasse in negotiations with LIUNA in August 2017, after nine bargaining sessions failed to yield progress toward a mutually acceptable resolution.

Representatives for the 7,050-member union are seeking annual pay raises and a continuation of benefits established under the organization's previous compact.

County negotiators are seeking concessions virtually identical to ones sought from SEIU.

"The county values its employees and their contributions, but we are unable to sustain continuing escalating increases in LIUNA members' compensation due to our structural deficit, declining reserves and projected substantially increasing financial obligations," according to a Department of Human Resources statement.

Administrators noted that the average total compensation for a LIUNA- affiliated employee is just under $64,000 a year.

"LIUNA members have received, on average, a 45 percent increase in compensation over the past five years, with a base wage increase of approximately 41 percent," the HR department stated.

Terms of the county's last, best and final offer include an end to automatic cost-of-living adjustments and compensation hikes; elimination of some medical subsidies that existed under the previous collective bargaining agreement; limitations on employees' ability to cash in unused vacation time and sick leave; and an end to funding for work-time "union education" sessions.

The county would net roughly $3.38 million in savings in the current fiscal year under the terms of the last, best and final offer, according to officials.

Yearly raises would still be available, but generally capped at 2.71 percent per worker, officials said.

Along with SEIU, the county imposed contract terms on the Riverside Sheriffs' Association, which represents deputies, probation agents and District Attorney's Office investigators.

LBFO impositions are only valid for a year.

— By City News Service / Patch file photo by Renee Schiavone