Last week, employees of the Sweetwater Authority Middle Management and Confidential bargaining units voted for a new three-year agreement with the Authority after its Governing Board had reached a tentative agreement with unit representatives in late December.
The agreement provides a cost-of-living adjustment: 6% increase effective July 1, 3% increase effective July 1, 2025, and a 3% increase effective July 1, 2026. The agreement also provides 80 hours of paid parental leave, compensation to $30 per day for job-related certifications exceeding requirements of employee’s position, increased compensation to $30 per day for the bilingual stipend, and a yearly 3% performance pay bonus for long-term employees who exceed performance requirements.
The agreement also balances inflationary pressures and rising healthcare premiums by establishing moderate cost-sharing between the Authority and unit membership. Starting in 2025, the Authority will cover premium increases up to 8%; any increases above that threshold will be shared equally between the agency and the units.
“Management recognizes that constructive labor relations are crucial for the Authority to attract and retain highly-skilled and adaptable employees who work in service of our ratepayers,” said General Manager Carlos Quintero in a press statement. “Management believes that this agreement with our management and confidential employees appropriately rewards those units for their work, provides service benefits for our ratepayers, and overall shows the advantage of productive negotiations.”
The agreement will go to the Board for approval on Jan. 10. If approved, the contracts will be effective through June 2027.
