June 9, 2005

Bargaining this week was a mixed bag in which the Court changed lead negotiators, presented its first offers on pay and benefits, and made some rather draconian proposals covering other contract items.

On Monday, the first of three bargaining days this week, management presented the Union with 14 proposals, including offers on pay and benefits. The former was an hourly rate of "$33.13 per hour worked." That proposal was coupled with another which stated that full-time employees must account for 40 hours actually worked to be paid the full-weekly rate.

The benefits offer was that interpreters would receive health care, sick leave and vacation at the same rate as those provided in "the largest bargaining unit within the respective court." No information was offered on what those rates are or even what the largest bargaining unit is in each county.

The worst of the proposals would give all interpreters currently working in the Region the same seniority date. Incredibly, the Court also presented a proposal that would make the principle of seniority the deciding factor in any layoff. When questioned about the proposals, the Court confirmed that they were correct leaving confused Union negotiators scratching their heads in wonder.

Wednesday was a little better. The sides moved closer on a few of the non-economic, non-controversial proposals made on Monday. And, even though it was incomplete, the Court offered some specific information on what benefits are in the individual counties so the Union could begin to evaluate that offer.

On Thursday, tentative agreements were reached on a pro-forma article describing the purpose of the MOU; a clause recognizing the Union as exclusive representative for Region 4 interpreters; a one-year probationary period for new employees which will be waived for any employee completing 1040 hours of employment by July 1, 2005; and language requested by the Court to define a procedure to be used if an interpreter abandons the job without notice.

In a surprise announcement late in the day on Thursday, Court Chief Negotiator Larry Menth told the Union that he will be leaving his position after three more sessions to accept a job as Labor Relations Director with the state Forestry Service.

Menth will be replaced at the table by Yvonne Pritchard, Deputy Court Executive Officer of the San Bernardino Superior County . Pritchard has been a member of the Court's team since the onset of bargaining. Among her first comments in her new role as chief negotiator, Pritchard said she recognizes the Region's interpreters as valuable employees and views the bargaining process as a "team" effort. Union negotiators welcome that tone and are more than willing to make the process more collaborative.

Five additional sessions are scheduled between now and July 1: June 17 in Santa Fe Springs; June 20 and 21 in San Diego; and June 24 and 29 at a yet-to-be-determined locations.

Bargaining team: