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Committee forwards arbitration award with IBEW Local 6 after officials say schedule change reduces overtime
Summary
The Government Audit and Oversight Committee forwarded to the full Board an ordinance adopting an arbitration award that amends the IBEW Local 6 collective bargaining agreement to meet NERC training recommendations; officials said the change yields about $40,000 in net annual savings.
The Government Audit and Oversight Committee on Monday forwarded to the full Board an ordinance to adopt an arbitration award amending Amendment No. 2 to the collective bargaining agreement with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 6.
Martin Gran, Employee Relations Director for the Department of Human Resources, said the award resolves issues from bargaining in 2012 affecting powerhouse operators at Hetch Hetchy, and implements changes required after regulations from the North American Electric Reliability Corporation recommended more training. "The regulatory agency has recommended training in excess of prior levels," Gran said, and the award documents the new training requirements in the union contract.
Gran said the settlement lets the Public Utilities Commission operate on a 35-day rotating schedule instead of a 27-day schedule, which "allows us to do the training on straight time rather than overtime." He said the Controller's Office—has analyzed costs and benefits and "shows that there is an overall savings of $40,000 per year on an ongoing basis," derived from about $60,000 per year in regular salary savings offset by roughly $20,000 in additional built-in overtime costs tied to 12-hour remote shifts.
Gran summarized the change as narrow but operationally significant: it covers powerhouse operator classifications (74, 82 through 88) responsible for loading high-voltage power onto the grid and ensuring delivery to municipal systems and city buildings. He described the negotiations and arbitration as "a very long, complicated, and arduous, somewhat adversarial at times" process but said, "So it's, I think, a win win for both parties." Representatives of the PUC were present and available to answer questions; Eric Rappaport from the City Attorney's Office and Carol Eisen were also on hand.
There were no public speakers on the item. Chair Supervisor Bridal asked whether any members objected to forwarding the ordinance; the committee moved the item to the full Board without objection. According to the clerk's announcement, items acted on today will appear on the April 8 Board of Supervisors agenda unless otherwise stated.
Next steps: the ordinance will be considered by the full Board of Supervisors on the item date listed by the clerk.
