Tavien Costio, representing the County Executive Office Human Resources division, presented the county’s tentative labor agreement with Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 721 to the Board of Supervisors during the same meeting.

Costio said formal negotiations began in August 2025 and that the parties reached a tentative agreement on Nov. 21, which SEIU membership ratified on Dec. 11. "This is a comprehensive, labor agreement," Costio said, and he outlined the principal terms for the board.

Key provisions Costio highlighted include a 3½-year contract term through June 18, 2029; three general salary increases of 3.5% in each contract year; and targeted market wage adjustments ranging from 1% to 9% paid over two years based on a total compensation study of represented classifications. Costio said the agreement addresses minimum-wage requirements for impacted health-care workers established by Senate Bill 525, which the transcript records as taking effect Jan. 1, 2025 and phasing to $25 an hour by June 2028.

Costio told the board staff recommends applying the SB 525 minimum-pay requirements across all impacted health-care classifications countywide rather than limiting implementation to hospital staff, to avoid pay inequities tied to facility or department location. He referenced the county’s earlier presentation on Dec. 17, 2024 when the board considered an initial $21-an-hour increase.

The item brought the terms to the board for adoption at the hearing’s conclusion. The transcript records the staff presentation of the agreement; formal motions or board action on the contract were to follow the public hearing process as described.

Next steps: staff presented the redlined agreement attached to the agenda and asked the board to consider adoption of the contract terms per the hearing schedule.