In recent years the best strategy for many county bargaining units has been to rollover the current contract rather than negotiate a new one, assuming the employer agrees to do so. While extending a contract generally means no new salary increases, it also means no takeaways, which in the current economy is often a fair compromise. Los Angeles County Bargaining Unit 324 (Physicians) and Bargaining Unit 325 (Dentists and Psychiatrists) each recently agreed to extend their current county contracts until 2012. This was an especially appealing option for BU 324 members, because their contract includes a 3% annual increase which did not expire. BU 325 doctors who have not reached the top of the pay scale will also see a salary step increase this year. Sacramento County doctors also agreed to a one year extension of their contract, though it included a change in the retirement formula for new hires. As in Los Angeles County BU 325, Sacramento doctors not already at the final salary step will get a pay increase.
UNION OF AMERICAN PHYSICIANS AND DENTISTS, AFFILIATED WITH AFSCME, AFL-CIO
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Alameda County Memorandum of Understanding (Contract)
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May 13, 2011
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Health Plan Changes at ACMC
November 30, 2010Alameda County Medical Center doctors, who are not covered by the same contract as other Alameda County-employed doctors, agreed to negotiate with the County over the language that governs their health insurance. All members voted in favor of the plan. 
Because most ACMC employees have opted for the less-expensive Kaiser health insurance plan, the proposed rates for the alternative plan, Pacific Care, had increased by 25% for 2011. Hoping to keep both health care options viable, doctors voted to accept contract language that slightly increased the cost of the most-popular Kaiser plans, but dramatically decreased the cost of the Pacific Care plan, making the latter plan a more attractive option. Among the choices for health coverage, the medical center will continue to offer a Kaiser budget-level plan that will remain free for full time employees. For those employees who opt out of purchasing health insurance, the “share the savings payment” will increase to a flat $250/month. No other contract changes were made during the re-opener.
No Reopener for Alameda County
November 30, 2010Doctors employed by Alameda County voted to reject the County’s request to reopen the current MOU, which does not expire until December of next year. In seeking the reopener, the county asked members to consider waiving the 3% salary increase scheduled for this December and rolling over the contract for two more years without a pay increase. They also wanted to increase employees’ out-of-pocket costs for Kaiser health insurance and decrease the out of pocket cost for the alternative (Pacific Care) plan. In light of this, members opted to keep the contract closed until 2011.