On WednesdayJanuary 20th the members of the Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriff’s voted on their new contract. Approximately half of the union membership, 886 members, participated in the ratification vote. The results were overwhelming.
YES: 766 (86.5%)
NO: 120 (13.5%)
The contract will appear on the County of Orange website for public review from January 27, 2010 to February 9, 2010. The Orange County Board of Supervisors will consider the contract at their meeting scheduled for Tuesday, February 9, 2010.
As reported here last week, There will be no pay increases or reductions included in the 3 year agreement wit a reopener on salary in October 2011. The Deputies have also agreed to the same overtime calculation provisions adopted by the Orange County Employees Association (OCEA) last year. Overtime will only be paid for hours actually worked over 40 in a work week, and hours worked over scheduled shift will be paid at the overtime rate of 1 ½.
The big news however is the change in pension benefits.
Current employees receiving the 3% @ 50 pension benefit will upon contract (MOU) will contribute 1.0% of pay towards their retirement benefits. Currently 100% of retirement contributions are picked up by the county. In October 2010, an additional contribution of 2.0% will be paid by AOCDS members (a total of 3.0%). In October 2011, members will contribute an additional 2.0% (for a total of 5.0%). For new employees there will be a new tier 3%@55 retirement formula and new employees will contribute 6.6%.