Last night, your Bargaining Committee reached a Total Tentative Agreement!
This tentative agreement includes major advances in terms of compensation, gender equity, healthcare, worker rights, and more. These victories would not have happened without the sustained participation of you and your colleagues in building our union’s power. Read the full total tentative agreement here. See summary of highlights in the agreement here.
Historic Salary Increases that Provide a Pathway to Pay Equity
The tentative agreement guarantees three salary increases for everyone in the Bargaining Unit: on July 1, 2024 (retroactive), July 1, 2025, and July 1, 2026. These Special Salary Adjustments (SSAs) include cumulative SSAs from 14.6 – 23.4% for State Scientists at the top of their salary range and 9.2% cumulative SSAs for those not at the top of their range.
Check out this Salary Explainer document for more details and examples.
A typical Environmental Scientist in the middle of Range C would see their salary increase by more than 26% over the term of the contract. This example Scientist’s anniversary date is December 1, and their current salary is $7,380. Under the Tentative Agreement, taking into account SSAs and Merit Salary Adjustments (MSAs) their salary would increase:
- Retroactive to July 1, 2024: to $7,601/month (3% SSA in 2024)
- On December 1, 2024: to $7,981/month (5% MSA)
- On July 1, 2025: to $8,221/month (3% SSA in 2025)
- On December 1, 2025: to $8,632/month (5% MSA)
- On July 1, 2026: to $8,891/month (3% SSA in 2026)
- December 1, 2026: to $9,335/month (5% MSA)
A typical Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist) at the top of the classification salary range would see their salary increase by more than 23% over the term of the contract. This example Scientist’s current salary is $9,126. Under the Tentative Agreement, their salary would increase:
- Retroactive to July 1, 2024: to $10,221/month (12% SSA in 2024)
- On July 1, 2025: to $10,732/month (5% SSA in 2025)
- On July 1, 2026: to $11,269/month (5% SSA in 2026)
Geographical Pay Differential: Scientists whose designated reporting office is located in Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Mateo, San Francisco, or Santa Clara County will receive a monthly $250 differential retroactive to July 1, 2024.
Longevity Pay Differential: This hard-fought benefit provides scientists with longevity pay differentials phased in each year by 2026, at 17-20 years of service scientists will receive 2%, 3%, 4%, and 5.5% longevity pay differentials:
State Disability Insurance: Six months after ratification all rank-and-file scientists will transition to State Disability Insurance (SDI), which includes: improved wage replacement benefits for members with a non-work related illness, injury, or pregnancy; and 8 weeks of Paid Family Leave within a 12-month period to care for a seriously ill family member or bond with a new child.
Your Bargaining Committee is extremely excited to present this total tentative agreement to you, filled with hard-fought wins!
The next step is ratifying the total tentative agreement! Stay tuned for more information including a schedule of worksite meetings and details about the upcoming ratification vote.