SEIU 1021 members at San Joaquin County Superior Court ratified their tentative agreement last week by an overwhelming majority. The bargaining team was very pleased to reach what they’re calling a fair contract in trying economic times, especially considering that some courts in other parts of Northern California are instead asking their workers for furloughs and contract extensions. 

The two-year agreement includes the highest single-year wage increase they have seen in more than two decades and securing overtime language was a massive success, settling a long-standing dispute.

“These were both huge victories that we feel our members can be proud of,” said court reporter Jennifer Whitlock. “Our membership standing together continues to prove paramount at the San Joaquin County Courthouse.”

Highlights of the new agreement include:

• Salary increase by 6% for year one and 2% for year two.
• $2,000 lump sum payment.
• Overtime! A judicial branch holiday shall be counted as time worked for overtime purposes. This is a big deal!
• An extra floating holiday for a total of three. All three will be loaded into the time-off bank during the first full pay period on or after January 1.

“We feel that if cuts are to be made that they should be made starting at the top. The workforce is not here to create a rainy-day fund for the court at our members’ expense,” said Whitlock.