Psychiatric Technicians agree to new contract

 

Negotiators for the State and the union representing 7,100 psychiatric technicians working in State mental hospitals, developmental centers, and prisons have accepted a mediator-proposed settlement on a new two-year contract. A mediator became involved when negotiations reached impasse last week.

 

Under the proposed settlement, employees in bargaining unit 18 would receive a 2.5 percent raise effective July 1, 2006, and another increase of 2.5 percent next July. In addition, the top pay for licensed psychiatric technicians would go up 5 percent beginning July 1, 2007.

 

Other key provisions:

 

• Pension benefits for new State employees will be based on their highest three-year average salary, rather than the highest single year that applies to current employees.
• The State's contribution to employee health premiums will be increased effective July 1, 2006, and again on Jan. 1, 2007, and Jan. 1, 2008, to a dollar amount that equals 80 percent of the average CalPERS-approved premium for that year.
• New employees who enroll dependents under their State health plan will be subject to a two-year vesting period before they qualify for the full employer health contribution for dependent coverage.¹

 

The tentative agreement, which would run through June 30, 2008, now goes to the Legislature and union members for ratification.

 

Click here for a summary.