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On Tuesday, June 21, SEIU 721 members of the Coachella Valley Water District voted unanimously to reject the district’s last, best and final offer. The district is demanding that employees pay 2% of their retirement contribution with no COLA or merit increases the first year. Further, their proposal would have employees pick up another 2% of CalPERS the second year with a 3% COLA, but no merit increase and pay 20% of any increases in health care over and above what they are already paying. The district is also calling for changes to the retiree health care plan that would place a burden on an already modest income retirees will be receiving. The contract expires June 30.
“The Board of Directors need to realize that these cuts affect not just CVWD workers, who provide essential services to our customers, but also to our families, retirees and the community. “
Rebecca Milward, Developmental Services Technician, CVWD Chapter Chairperson and First Chair Negotiating Team
What’s Next?
• Next bargaining date is Monday, June 27, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the CVWD headquarters’ main conference room.
• Join CVWD workers in letting the Board of Directors know how this affects the hard working families of the Coachella Valley, retirees and the community.
Informational Rally
prior to the Board of Director’s Meeting
Tuesday, June 28
8 a.m. to 9 a.m.
CVWD
Coachella Office
85-995 Avenue 52
Coachella, CA, 92236
Contract Negotiations in the News
Desert Sun
Palm Desert Patch.com
I’m a retired Federal Employee, and I don’t see the problem with the CVWD’s proposal. While still a Federal Employee I paid 7.5% of my gross income into my retirement system and 30% of my health insurance premium. Now that I’m retired I don’t pay the 7,5%, but I still pay 30% or my health insurance premium. What is wrong with the small percentage the CVWD wants you to pay? One more thing, I have not recieved a COLA in 2 years!
I’m sorry, you may not be understanding the facts. The employees gave up 7% of cola’s in the past with the District agreeing to pay the 8% portion of the retirement plan. They are now going back on that deal, while the employees lose out entirely. The issue is honor and integrity. The District offered these benefits when they hired these employees, no one forced them. To now rescind these, with NO financial need is dishonorable. Most of these jobs pay less than in the private sector, the employees accepted these jobs because of the promised benefits. It would be like me accepting the job stating I had certain qualifications and abilities that I would use to the District’s benefit, then saying, ‘Naw, I’ve changed my mind and want the same pay and benefits, but I’m not going to do the work.’
Hi Terry you might be getting paid alot of money, but for us earning a take home pay of $1,000 and now taking home $750.00 it would very much hurt the low income families at CVWD.