Please check back here often for the latest negotiations updates and news.  

ESC Local 20 Bargaining Team: Jennifer Blandino, Hiru Motreja, Hayat Haddad, Chelsea Henderson, Lisa Spears, David Dodds, Andrea Cronin, Nicole Dominguez, Jyoti Hans-Brar


Bargaining Update: Informational Picket:
Monday, July 29 from 2pm to 4pm
Good Samaritan Hospital 2425 Samaritan Dr., San Jose

Bargaining Update: Stand up for patient care & a fair contract: Join us July 29 from 2-4pm at Good Sam Hospital

Bargaining Update: HCA Says 1% for Patient Care Providers, $400 Million for CEO

Bargaining Update: HCA Silent on Key Issues that Would Improve Patient Care

Bargaining Update: HCA Negotiations Kickoff with Strong Member Support

Bargaining Update: Bargaining Survey Results In, Priorities Set, & Bargaining Team Elected– Are You Ready?

2019 Bargaining Begins: Welcome Letter

 

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Joel Foster (Secretary-Treasurer), Rene Vasquez (PG&E Unit Vice President), and Mark Sims (Government, Administrative, Technical Unit Vice President) have been elected to the Executive Board by acclamation. Rene Vasquez and Mark Sims were sworn in by President John Mader at the Executive Board meeting October 28, 2024.

Congratulations to these officers!

 

 

A screenshot shows a Zoom meeting where three people have their hands raised to be sworn in.

ESC members at the EPA have unanimously voted YES to ratify the Tentative Agreement between ESC and the EPA. 102 members voted yes and 0 voted no, with 76% of eligible members taking part in the vote. This result is a victory for EPA workers, who have secured critical new employee protections through years of bargaining and organizing. The newly ratified Tentative Agreement provides for Maxi Flex Schedules, strengthens the Agency’s commitment to DEIA, and preserves the 2008 PARS Agreement and Telework/Remote Work MOU.

Now that members have voted to ratify, the Tentative Agreement will be submitted to Agency Review. Once the Agency has received the Tentative Agreement, it should go into effect as our new contract within 30 days of submission. While we don’t anticipate any issues with Agency Review, we will provide updates on the process, including any problems ESC encounters. In the meantime, we want to recognize the hard work of everyone who helped win this very strong contract.

Below are all articles added or revised by the 2024 Tentative Agreement (TA) between ESC and the EPA. (According to the TA, articles in the previous EPA contract that do not appear below would remain in the new contract unchanged. )

Purpose

New article: Duration

New article: Remote work

New article: Telework

Article 1: Recognition and Unit Designation

Article 2: Union Activities and Official Time

Article 3: Union Use of Agency Facilities and Services

Article 4: Union Dues

Article 5: Midterm Negotiations

Article 6: Negotiated Grievance Procedure

Article 7: Arbitration

Article 8: Merit Promotion

Article 9: Leave

Article 10: Performance

Article 12: Work Schedules

Article 13: Career Ladder Promotions

Article 15: Union Rights

Article 16: Transit Subsidy

Article 17: Student Loan Repayment

Article 18: Child Care Subsidies

Article 19: Employee Assistance Program

Article 20: Workers Compensation

Article 21: Discipline

Article 22: Transfer of Function

Article 23: Employee Rights

Article 27: Probationary Employees

Article 28: Retirement/Resignation

Article 29: Prohibited Personnel Practices

Article 30: Overpayment

Article 31: Ethics and Outside Employment

Article 33: Temporary Medical Issues

Article 36: Lactation Time and Facilities

Article 37: Furlough

Article 39: Orientation of New Employees

Article 40: Fitness Center

Article 43: Health and Safety

Article 44: Employee Training and Development

Article 47: Personnel Records and Access to Information

Article 48: Incentive Award

Article 50: Reduction in Force

Article 51: Principles of Scientific Integrity

Article 54: Reassignments

Article 55: Drug-Free Workplace

Article 56: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility

Article 60: Travel and Per Diem

Last year, seventy-five members advanced in their careers through the union-negotiated annual promotion process. Once annually, members across various monthly classifications become eligible for promotion to the next level in their classification by simply submitting their resumes and an application.

In 2023, 200 candidates applied and were evaluated for promotion by panels comprising two ESC members and two managers. Out of the 200 candidates, roughly 60% were recommended for promotion, with most receiving unanimous recommendations. The Lines of Businesses created openings for 75 members. These advancements were completed by Dec. 1, 2023.

Submissions were accepted during the summer, and final recommendations from the panels were made by November. A total of 82 ESC members served as panelists.

John Mader, President of ESC stated, “I extend congratulations to those who have been promoted and heartfelt gratitude to the volunteers who served as panel members. Their dedication is integral to the success of this process.”

Roberto Gonzalez-Ramos, the PG&E Unit’s Vice President, General Office, Joe Anastasio, the PG&E Unit’s Vice President of Nuclear Generation, and staff member Ken Thorbourne led this ESC initiative.

The annual promotion process will kick off again this year on June 15th. For more information, please check under the Toolkit on the Labor Relations intranet page in the folder titled ESC Monthly Advancement Process.

Francisco Preciado, ESC Executive Director