Agenda Item Wording:
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Authorize changes to terms and conditions of employment with all represented and unrepresented City of Visalia employee bargaining groups.
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Deadline for Action: 5/15/2023
Submitting Department: Administration
Contact Name and Phone Number: Leslie Caviglia; 559.713.4317
Department Recommendation: Authorize changes to terms and conditions of employment with all represented and unrepresented employee bargaining groups as outlined below.
Background Discussion:
In 2021 the City entered into 3-year agreements with all employee bargaining units for the term of July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2024. Since the agreements were approved, there have been significant increases in inflation and costs of living (food, gas, utilities, etc.) that have negatively impacted employees. Additionally, the City of Visalia has had increased difficulty in recruiting and retaining quality employees. The struggle to attract applicants for jobs results in ongoing position vacancies throughout the City which further impacts existing employee workloads. At the same time, the City continues to have a very positive financial outlook with a higher than anticipated budget surplus.
To provide economic relief to employees, improve recruitment and retention efforts, and recognize valued employees, at a closed session meeting on April 17, 2023, City Council authorized City negotiators to reopen discussions on the subject of wages with all represented and unrepresented bargaining groups.
After meetings with group representatives, tentative agreements were reached with all bargaining groups to provide all full-time employees a 2.5% salary increase effective the pay period that includes July 1, 2023, and a one-time $1,000 lump sum payment effective the pay period following Council approval. Agreement was also reached with Bargaining Group M (Miscellaneous Employees) on revised contract language relating to Ca...
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