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The Pleasanton City Council is expected to approve at its next meeting April 16 a new three-year contract with the Pleasanton City Employees Association (PCEA) Local 955 that will raise salaries by 3% retroactive to April 1, and then 3% again as of April 2020 and April 2021.
The new union contract also calls for employees to start contributing $50 monthly toward their medical coverage, up from the $25 payment they have been making. The city now pays between $1,000 for a single policy to $1,800 for a family policy for its employees.
Although Pleasanton police now pay 12% of their salaries into their pension fund, city employees will continue to pay just 8% in their new contract.
In addition, all PCEA members will receive a one-time payment of $900 upon adoption of the proposed contract.
The PCEA includes 215 employees, comprised of numerous classifications, including clerical positions, police dispatchers, recreation employees, planners, engineers and maintenance employees in the streets, parks, support services and utilities divisions.
The financial impact to the city’s budget as a result of the new contract is forecast at $4.7 million through March 31, 2022, the end of the three-year agreement.
City Council members reviewed the proposed contract March 19 with no opposition. The second reading on April 16 is required to formally adopt the agreement.
Nothing seems to change …
Our representatives negotiated backroom sweetheart deals on our behalf with little chance for input.
Public employees continue to receive guaranteed raises above inflation rates and pay nominally for their medical and pension benefits.
City unfunded liabilities continue to increase because of all this and worse city government has become more opaque with related communications because the news is not good.
Net result – pressure for tax increased will continue, city services will subtly erode and maintenance will be deferred.
You’d think after 10+ years dealing with this, city government would become more effective – but I guess not.
Employees are not contributing enough money through payroll deduction towards their pensions. That number must be increased to minimum 25% payroll deduction to cover escalting pension costs for Pleasanton tax payers.
GenX – The bay area CPI was 3.5 percent over the past year. This is not an over inflation raise.
Michael Austin – a 25% payroll deduction would be WELL above the actual costs for the pensions. Public safety pensions, which are much more lucrative, net to about 25% of an employees salary. Misc. workers are significantly lower.
Any over deduction can be applied to the current escalating outstanding pension debt and the interest costs.
Bernie Sanders must have been in the negotiating room on that one. I don’t even need a 3% raise…just wish they would quit raising my medical every year. What say you to that Barack!!