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The SEIU 721 City of Hemet bargaining team consisted of members (left to right, back to front) Tim Burke, Morgan Newlin, Luis Vivanco and Sara Retmier. Wendy Thomas, (not pictured) SEIU 721 Inland Regional Vice President, was the Chief Negotiator.
SEIU 721 City of Hemet members ratified a tentative agreement on July 17, with a vote of 98%. On Tuesday, Aug. 13, the Hemet City Council voted 5-0 in support of the new one-year contract.
The contract provides a 2.5% COLA, two new half-day paid holidays (Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve), extended paid leave days to participate in union activities and a $100 a month Education Incentive. In recognition of some of the past economic concessions made by members during the Great Recession, the City also agreed to provide a temporary 5% salary increase during the term of this contract along with a $600 Christmas bonus.
“We started these negotiations facing the prospect of further concessions from the City, but by working together as a strong team and showing the city our members demanded nothing less than a fair contract, we were able to win substantial increases in both pay and benefits.”
– Tim Burke, SEIU 721 City of Hemet Chapter President and bargaining team member
Contract Highlights
• 2.5% COLA
• 5% salary increase for fiscal year 2013-14
• $600 Christmas bonus
• Maintained 4/10 work schedule
• Two new half-day paid holidays
• Placed max caps on employee retirement contributions
• Provides new employees with full access to sick leave banks upon hire
• Expands Personal Leave Time to 10 hours per year
• Removed the moratorium on vacation sale
• $100 per month Education Incentive premiumCity of Hemet members will have an opportunity to meet with
City of Hemet members will have an opportunity to meet with worksite organizer Chris Stout during the upcoming membership meeting to distribute the new contracts. Chris can be contacted at (760) 408-5033 or you can contact 721 Member Connection at (877) 721-4YOU.