Modesto Contract Negotiations Hinge on Health Care, Retiree Benefits
More than 200 Modesto municipal employees on Monday participated in a one-day strike to "showcase the plight of the city's 550 rank-and-file workers, who receive less benefits than their counterparts in public safety and management," the Modesto Bee reports.
Contract talks between the city and the Modesto City Employees Association, which represents the workers, have been delayed since June because of disagreements over health and retirement benefits. The previous five-year contract expired July 25.
The City Council is scheduled to vote on Sept. 6 on mandating the terms of a two-year contract if both sides fail to reach an agreement.
The city has proposed increasing its monthly contribution to family health insurance plans by $100 each year of the contract. For single employees, the city would increase its monthly contributions by $57 in the first year of the contract and by $45 in the second year.
The union and city officials said on Monday they are willing to negotiate a deal.
Union negotiator Bob Phibbs said the MCEA board will meet this week to discuss the next step (Milbourn, Modesto Bee, 8/23).