Tulare County Superior Court Tentative Agreement Reached
Breaking News: Tentative Agreement on Successor Contract Reached!
After much negotiation, your bargaining team has reached a tentative agreement on a 1-year contract extension. As we are all aware, COVID-19 has had a ripple effect on just about every aspect of our lives, including our jobs. While none of us are satisfied with furloughs, your team remains headstrong in protecting the benefits of your contract such as healthcare, retirement security, and personal holidays.
Your Bargaining Team Representatives are recommending a vote for Approval of the Tentative Agreement. We also recommend that our members remain vigilant as there will be more talks in February over the furlough process and use of that time. Stay Tuned and Be ready!
How to Vote
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU HAVE YOUR INFORMATION UPDATED AND THAT YOU ARE A MEMBER OF THE UNION TO ASSURE YOU ARE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE AND HAVE IT COUNT! Update your contact information by visiting: www.seiu521.org/signup – this can be completed in less than 2 minutes. Only members can vote on the tentative agreement. If you are not a current member or unsure, sign up to become a member here: www.seiu521.org/membership. The deadline to do both will be Wednesday, September 2, by 9:00 pm.
Election Details
Start: Friday, September 4, 7:00am
End: Friday, September 4, 2:00pm
Election Format: Virtual online ballot. You will receive your ballot both via your work email address and your personal email address from Election Buddy, invitations@mail.electionbuddy.com. Eligible members will receive email and text message notifications from ELECTION BUDDY to cast one vote to accept or reject the Tentative Agreement. One vote per member.
Highlights of the Agreement
- There will be no change to employee benefits at this time! Health Care, Personal Holidays, and all other benefits previously negotiated are not changing.
- Employees will have 13 furlough days (104 hours) from August 2020 to September 2021. Time can begin to be scheduled on the 20th of the month PRIOR to the month of the time it will be taken in. Submission of furlough time can be no later than the 10th day of the month it is to be taken in, or it will be designated by your supervisor or manager. (example: Furlough time being taken for November can be scheduled as early as October 20th, but must be selections must be submitted no later than November 10th)
- Furlough time can be taken in increments of 2 hours but must be scheduled designated Fridays of the month, and employees must use 8 hours a month. NOTE: If there is a situation in which an employee needs time off other than a scheduled Friday, and it works operationally, they can work that out with their supervisor or manager BUT employees should not expect that will be the norm. The court has committed to trying to work with employees where they can during this time, so if the need arises contact your manager or supervisor!