Contract Victory for City of Calexico Employees
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Calexico City Employees/SEIU Local 221 Members
Outside Calexico City Hall
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Since April 2009, SEIU Local 221 members who work for the City of Calexico have been fighting to get a decent contract. Bargaining a contract in these tough economic times was extremely difficult with the City of Calexico facing a budget deficit, threats of cuts from the state and the entire Imperial Valley region having a 27% unemployment rate.
Although members of the bargaining team worked hard to get a fair deal for employees, the city wouldn’t budge and their last, best, and final offer was for employees to take 18 furlough days, pay more for healthcare, and pay more toward their pensions.
The bargaining team and membership agreed the deal the city was offering was just not good enough. For many members, the loss of pay due to the furlough days and the increased healthcare and pension costs would have had a severe financial impact on them and their families. The membership rejected the contract offer and the contract then went to impasse, with the fates of our employees to be decided by Calexico City Council.
Members spoke at city council and expressed how the proposed contract would affect their families, their jobs, and the services they provide. They also offered cost-saving ideas that wouldn’t just balance the budget on the backs of employees. Council delayed the contract vote and urged the City Manager to meet with employees and come up with money saving ideas.
A budget analysis showed over $800,000 in unnecessary spending (new furniture, phones, vehicle purchases, etc.) and
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Calexico Chapter President Pete Gastelum spoke
to the Calexico City Council about his contract |
our members mobilized to action and fought back. They took their message to the public and put pressure on the City Council and the City Manager to make right.
City council members listened to the suggestions and on September 1, 2009 offered city employees a contract that eliminated the increased healthcare and pension costs and reduced the furlough days to 10.
Members were very happy with this contract offer, as it will have a much smaller impact on their jobs and pocketbooks.
SEIU Local 221 would like to thank the all the Calexico members who worked hard, stood up for themselves, and showed that when we work together, we can win!
A letter from Lorena Minor-Montes
Code Enforcement Officer with the City of Calexico
Calexico Chapter Vice-President
SEIU Local 221 Bargaining Team Member
Greetings to everyone up in fresh & cool San Diego, from down here under sea level (the desert):
President Moore, I would like to congratulate you for the wonderful team that consists of SEIU 221!!
During this long battle with the Calexico City Council where we have already lost 14% of our salary (including benefits), the Council wanted to continue to cut our salary with 18 furlough days, 2% of our PERS, and increases to our medical insurance. From day one in our meet in confer with management, we met and did not give up. Bargaining Director Lois Balfour was our strongest being the smallest! Worksite Organizer Albert Velasquez was battling some of our grievances at the same time. The takeaways in the proposed contract would have totaled 26% of our salary in the end!
When Worksite Organizer David Acosta became involved “it was the 4th quarter” as he called it. He’s like the Energizer bunny and did not stop meeting with members one on one, which meant he was very visible to all our members. I will also not forget Government & Community Relations Representative Jacob Regalado who was always in meetings with the politicians trying to educate them on how it the reductions would hurt all of us. He always answered my phone calls and my questions.
I also can’t forget the team work when Susan Brondell, Alecia Bacon, Michael O’Connor (who spoke in our behalf) and others of SEIU 221 came to support us at the Calexico City Council meeting on August 18, 09.
I am not one who is extravagant with words but, from the bottom of my heart, “THANK YOU” to all of you who helped us get to where we are!! I know now our chapter is no longer alone, because alone we would have been eaten alive and the support from SEIU 221 has been wonderful. I can honestly say “SI SE PUEDE!!”
The end result:
Instead of 18 furlough days, a medical insurance increase, and employee contribution increase to CALPERS - WE ONLY GET 10 FURLOUGH DAYS AND LOST NOTHING ELSE & WE STILL GET OUR MERIT INCREASE IN 2009-2010
Well, to all who said, “It could not be done” We did it together.
SEIU 221 Thank you!!!