Local 2620 Members to Receive 11.5% Raise After Reaching an Agreement

 After eight months of bargaining and more than 200 proposals submitted, Local 2620reached a tentative agreement in December for their members, which include 5,000 health and social service professionals in more than 135 classifications who work for the State of California.

Highlights of the new four-year agreement include the following:

  • An 11.5% general salary increase over the next four years
  • The ability for members to cash up to 80 hours of vacation per year
  • An increase in the reimbursement for continuing education from $200 to $500
  • The removal of the three-year vesting period for family members to get medical coverage
  • Special salary adjustments for 450 members

While they didn’t get everything they wanted for their members, many agree that Local 2620 made significant strides with this new deal. Members will soon be voting to ratify the agreement.

“Our members held on for eight months for a better deal. We finally wrapped up on a rainy night at 2am after going back and forth with the State over a higher general salary increase,” said Local 2620 President Abdul Johnson. “Over the next four years, we will continue to advocate for our members in fighting for higher wages and better working conditions through the process of collective bargaining.”

Local 2620 is the latest union to strike a deal with Gov. Jerry Brown’s administration after the contracts for a number of the state’s unions expired on July 1, 2016. At its peak, 14 of the state’s 21 labor contracts had expired, according to the Sacramento Bee.

As Health and Social Service professionals, Local 2620 members are committed to keeping California communities healthier and safer, which is why this new agreement is so important.

Johnson said this new agreement not only addresses the needs of longterm members but it also provides a better contract for professionals in the community who would like to join State Service someday. Retaining quality, experienced workers for the State is always a concern, and a fair contract ensures that the best service is provided, he said.