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July 2019 Bargaining Update

Author: Human Resources
Date: 7/31/2019 12:21 PM

Bargaining Update: Two New MOU’s and One Tentative Agreement Reached


Over the last six months, the County has been busy negotiating successor labor contracts (“Memorandum of Understandings”) with several employee organizations.  Recently, the County and some employee organizations have successfully reached agreements, step #4 outlined in the  “The Bargaining Process in 7 Steps” article and members have ratified agreements. 

San Luis Obispo Prosecutor’s Association (SLOPA)- New MOU

Parties agreed upon a 3-year MOU, from July 1, 2018 through June 20, 2021. 

Effective the pay period including July 1, 2018, wages were increased by 2.5%; on July 1, 2019, wages were increased by 2.0%; and on July 1, 2020, wages will be increased by 2.25%. 

The parties also agreed that pension rate increases shall continue to be split 50/50 between the County and members, as adopted by the Board of Supervisors after receipt of actuarial data. 

Other benefits negotiated and agreed upon are as follows:

  • Wellness Reimbursement increased from $200 to $300 per year for eligible expenses related to wellness/fitness activities
  • Starting July 1, 2019, employees will be granted one additional personal leave day off per year
  • The County will provide a match of $0.50 for every $1.00 contributed by SLOPA represented employees to the Deferred Compensation program, up to an annual maximum County contribution of $500 per employee
  • Various article language clean-up and formatting changes in the MOU

San Luis Obispo County Probation Peace Officers’ Association (SLOCPPOA)- New MOU

The County and SLOCPPOA agreed upon a two-year MOU, from July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2021. 

Effective the pay period including July 1, 2019, wages were increased by 2.5% and July 1, 2020, will be increased by 2.5% for all members. 

Like cafeteria amounts already in place for Unrepresented and SLOCEA, the County Cafeteria Plan contribution for employees with employee plus two or more dependents medical coverage shall be increased to $1,250 per month. 

The parties also agreed that pension rate increases shall continue to be split 50/50 between the County and members, however for the term of the agreements only, some pension provisions were agreed upon given the Probation members unique pension standing. 

Other benefits negotiated and agreed upon are as follows:

  • Standby rate was increased from $2.75 per hour to $3.00 per hour.
  • Bilingual differential was increased $5 a month
  • Uniform allowance was increased $5 a month
  • Various language clean-up and formatting changes in the MOU

District Attorney Investigators Association – ratified agreement, subject to BOS approval on August 13, 2019

Parties agreed upon a 3-year contract, from July 1, 2019 and expiring on June 30, 2022. 

Effective the pay period including July 1, 2019, employees in the classifications of District Attorney Investigator III and Supervising District Attorney Investigator will receive a 2.5% wage increase, and employees in the classification of District Investigator I and District Attorney Investigator II will receive a 2.0% wage increase.  Additionally, to address internal job alignment and compaction issues, employees in the classification of Supervising District Attorney Investigator will receive an equity increase of 3.85%.  Effective the pay period including July 1, 2020, employees in the classifications of District Attorney Investigator III and Supervising District Attorney Investigator will receive a 2.5% wage increase.  Effective the pay period including July 1, 2021, employees in the classifications of District Attorney Investigator III and Supervising District Attorney Investigator will receive a 2.25% wage increase.

Like cafeteria amounts already in place for Unrepresented, Probation, and SLOCEA, the County Cafeteria Plan contribution shall increase to $1,025 for employees enrolled in County medical with one dependent, and for employees enrolled in County medical with two or more dependents, it shall increase to $1,250 per month.  Effective for the first paycheck in January, 2020, employees enrolled in County medical coverage with one dependent shall receive an additional cafeteria contribution increase of $20 per month for a total cafeteria contribution of $1,045 per month, and employees enrolled in County medical coverage with two or more dependents shall receive a cafeteria contribution increase of $25 per month for a total cafeteria contribution of $1,275 per month. Effective for the first paycheck in January 2021, employees enrolled in County medical coverage with one dependent shall receive an additional cafeteria contribution increase of $20 per month for a total cafeteria contribution of $1,065 per month, and employees enrolled in County medical coverage with two or more dependents shall receive a cafeteria contribution increase of $25 per month for a total cafeteria contribution of $1,300 per month. Effective for the first paycheck in January 2022, employees enrolled in County medical coverage with one dependent shall receive an additional cafeteria contribution increase of $20 per month for a total cafeteria contribution of $1,085 per month, and employees enrolled in County medical coverage with two or more dependents shall receive a cafeteria contribution increase of $25 per month for a total cafeteria contribution of $1,325 per month.

The parties also agreed that pension rate increases shall continue to be split 50/50 between the County and members, as adopted by the Board of Supervisors after receipt of actuarial data.

Other benefits negotiated and agreed upon are as follows:

  • Career Incentive amounts were also increased by $200 a month, from $150 per month to $350 per month. A new career incentive of $400 per month will be paid to employees who possess a POST supervisory certificate.
  • Various language clean-up and formatting changes in the MOU

San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Management Association – in negotiations

The County and SLOCSMA have been in negotiations since April, 2019 and the parties are very close to reaching a tentative agreement for a new MOU. Stay tuned for a more detailed update in an upcoming Inside Scoop.

San Luis Obispo County Employees’ Association (SLOCEA) – in negotiations

At time of this month’s Inside Scoop publication, SLOCEA and the County will have just completed their latest bargaining sessions.  Stay tuned for a more detailed update on the status of SLOCEA negotiations in the August Inside Scoop.