Title
Approval of Agreement Between the Incorporated County of Los Alamos and the International Brotherhood of Electric Workers (IBEW) Local 611 (Utilities), for the period of October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2027
Recommended Action
I move that Council approve the agreement between the Incorporated County of Los Alamos and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 611 (Utilities), for the period of October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2027.
Utilities Manager's Recommendation
The County Manager recommends that the Council approve the Agreement as presented.
Board, Commission or Committee Recommendation
The Board of Public Utilities recommends that the Council approve the motion as presented.
Body
In accordance with the current Collective Bargaining Agreement ("CBA") between the County and IBEW 611, the parties engaged in negotiations for a successor agreement.
The significant changes to the agreement include:
1) The County and the Union have agreed to a three-year contract that will begin October 1, 2024 and run through September 30, 2027.
2) Added language to define FR (fire resistant) clothing will be no less than Category II.
3) Increased annual safety boot allowance to $700 for Journeyman Lineman and $600 for Water Systems Electrical Technicians. Added a clause that the boot allowance is in place until the County adopts a Safety Shoe Voucher Program.
4) Updated safety prescription reimbursement for purchases to $300 annually.
5) Meals and Expenses section was removed.
6) Unpaid rest period after 16 consecutive hour is now 10-hours, but includes travel (previously 8 hours and did not include travel time to and from home).
7) Journeyman Lineman will receive 2% increase plus merit increase, as applicable. Merit is tied to the employee's performance evaluations, and is associated with a percentage increase.
8) Water Systems Electrical Technicians will receive 2% increase plus merit increase, as applicable.
9) Limited Retention Pay was increased from $3.37 to $4 for Journeyman Lineman and for Water Systems Electrical Technicians from $3.37 to $3.50 per hour.
10) Bargaining Unit employees receive a one-time payment of $250 each the second pay period after the effective date of the CBA.
On August 20, 2024, the members of the IBEW Local 611 met and ratified the agreement.
Alternatives
Although the parties could continue to negotiate for different terms, the staff believes that approval of this contract is the best option.
Fiscal and Staff Impact/Planned Item
The impact to the FY2025 DPU budget is approximately $50,000. If this agreement is approved, a budget revision will be brought back at a future Council meeting to cover the impact of this agreement as well as increases to limited retention pay for associated supervisors/superintendents. The impact to future years will be approximately $50,000 plus the impact of the 2% annual and merit increases.
Attachments
A - IBEW Agreement 2024-2027