Do you vote to ratify the 2027-2029 CBA Settlement?

2027-2029 Collective Bargaining Settlement Information

From our attorney, Rhonda Fenrich: 

Bargaining has concluded for the 2027-2029 contract term. As you are aware, the State has determined that it is in a budget crisis and approached bargaining with that as an overlay to all proposals. As you can imagine, this created difficult conditions to reach settlement. The State has maintained the position that it would not agree to any proposal that came with an additive cost to the State. The State proposed a 0% increase in both years of the contract. Ultimately, the parties agreed to:

• 7/1/2027 0% wage increase
• 7/1/2028 – the parties will start bargaining in August 2027 to determine a wage increase for 7/1/28.

The reopener is designed to try to provide for a wage increase in 2028. There is no guarantee, but at least there is a chance that a 0/0 would not provide.

 Other contract settlement details:

1. Maintenance of health insurance premium at the current 85/15 split.
2. Article 3: The Agency will interview all certified internal candidates for vacancies.
3. Article 4: Increased number of days to end a nonpermanent appointment from 1 to 3 days.
4. Article 11: The employer will notify employees who are employed for less than 6 months that their vacation accrual is a “use it or lose it” proposition.
5. Article 12/14: Expansion of the definition of “immediate family” to include any person living in the household who is in a relationship where the person relies upon the employee like a family member.
6. Article 12: Increased threshold to 15 unpaid days until seniority date may be adjusted by the State.
7. Article 12: Increased the threshold from 1 to 3 days to allow an employer to require a medical note when trying to use sick leave for when ill on vacation (allows restoration of vacation hours).
8. Article 16 MOU: Added an additional personal leave day each year of the contract.
9. Article 26: Minor changes to the disciplinary procedure – adding employer notification when timelines can’t be met and the fact employees can attach a written response to LOE.
10.  Article 31: Employees who are being laid off can offer up resumes and suggested PD changes to reflect current duties.
11.  Article 33: Increased the number of Association representatives at LMCCs to 10.
12.  Article 34: Association can hyperlink its website to the agency’s intranet.
13. MOU Training Committee – a joint committee will be developed to discuss training needs, issues and selection of trainers, especially outside contractors.
14. Appendices – increased trainer pay from $10/hour to $15/hour

Increased scope of pesticide spray pay to those applying under the license of another and from 10% to 15%

We understand that this is not the best contract you have seen in your career with the State. We still recommend ratifying the agreement. 

If the vote is not to ratify the agreement, then we can return to the table to resolve the contract, but none of the above enhancements are guaranteed. In addition, if we do not reach an agreement with the State within the year, you no longer have a contract. The fact we can reopen the contract for wage negotiations for 2028 and protect the contract is worth a yes vote to ratify.