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Tulare County approves two-year tentative agreement with SEIU covering multiple bargaining units
Summary
The Tulare County Board of Supervisors voted 4–0 to adopt a tentative memorandum of understanding with SEIU bargaining units covering salary increases, equity adjustments, benefit contribution increases and extended probationary periods; county officials estimate the two-year cost at about $29–30 million.
The Tulare County Board of Supervisors on Sept. 9 approved a two-year tentative memorandum of understanding with Service Employees International Union (SEIU) representing multiple county bargaining units, adopting across-the-board salary increases, equity adjustments for several job classes and stepped increases to county health-plan contributions.
County human resources director Lupi Garza presented the agreement, saying the MOU term is retroactive to July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027, and that economic terms take effect the first full pay period following board adoption. Garza described a 4% salary increase effective Sept. 21, 2025, and another 4% increase effective June 28, 2026, plus class-specific equity increases and a new career incentive pay schedule that begins Sept. 21, 2025 (3% at five years, 5% at 10 years, 8% at 15 years and 10% at 20 years of county service).
Garza also told the board the county will increase its contribution by $50 per pay period for employee+spouse, employee+children and family tiers of the SJVIE health plan for the 2026 plan year and add another $50 per tier in 2027; the county will continue to contribute at least enough to cover the Anthem 750 PPO deductible plan for single coverage. She reported the county will increase its eligible maximum contribution by $500 per calendar year up to $2,500 effective Jan. 1, 2026. Probationary periods will be extended from six to 12 months for several classifications, including building and code compliance inspector I, sheriff security officer and detention services officer. Garza estimated the combined salary, equity, health-plan and deferred-compensation costs at approximately $29–30 million over the two-year term; departments will account for increases in FY 2025–26 and 2026–27 budgets.
Supervisor Amy Shuckley moved approval; Supervisor Larry Macari seconded. The board approved the tentative agreement 4–0, with Supervisor Dennis Townsend recorded as not voting because he was absent.
The action approves the MOU only. Garza and staff said additional administrative steps will follow to implement pay changes and to reflect the added benefit contributions in 2026 and 2027.
Votes at a glance: motion to approve tentative agreement with SEIU (Bargaining Units 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7) — mover Supervisor Amy Shuckley; second Supervisor Larry Macari; outcome: approved 4–0; Supervisor Dennis Townsend not voting (absent).
