The era of furloughs and Personal Leave Programs (PLP) which date back to the Schwarzenegger administration have concluded effective June 30th. This means Unit 7 bargaining unit members’ paychecks will be restored to their pre-PLP levels which amounts to an approximate 5% increase in gross pay.

Also, effective July 1, 2013,  the salary offsets for the negotiated pension contribution increases which took place in 2010 will paid to those Unit 7 members who have been at top step salary for a minimum of 12 months. Peace Officer/Firefighter members will receive a 2% increase and Safety members will receive a 3% increase.

Unfortunately, as a result of the Public Employees Pension Reform Act (PEPRA), effective July 1, 2013,  all unit 7 members will be required to contribute an additional amount towards the cost of their pensions. POFF members will pay 1.5% more this year and an additional 1.5% July 1, 2014. Safety members will pay 1% more this year and an additional 1% July 1, 2014.

Meanwhile CSLEA continues its efforts to finalize a new tentative agreement. The CSLEA negotiations team briefed the full CSLEA Board of Directors at its quarterly meeting on June 24, 2013. The Board was unanimous in its position that CSLEA should not accept any offer that devalues the work performed by its members.  Once a tentative agreement is reached, the Board will review and approve it for a membership ratification vote.  CSLEA is optimistic that details of a new agreement will be announced shortly.