The County concluded negotiations with LEU on a contract extension and the LEU membership has ratified the County's offer. The following summarizes the major elements in the Memorandum of Understanding which extends the current agreement for the additional forty-eight month period from June 22, 2003 through June 16, 2007: General Salary Increases Salaries will be increased by 4% effective June 22, 2003, by 3% June 20, 2004, by 3% effective June 19, 2005, and by 4% effective June 18, 2006. Retirement Plan On or before September 7, 2003 the County will implement the 2%@55 benefit. Effective March, 2005, the County will implement the 2%@55.5 benefit. Both enhancements are contingent upon reaching agreement with all employee organizations representing General Retirement Plan employees or upon enactment of legislation enabling implementation by individual representation unit. Additionally, implementation of the 2%@55.5 benefit is contingent upon enactment of legislation changing the employee contribution basis. Employees will share in the cost of this improved benefit through payroll deductions as follows: · 1% effective August 30, 2003 · additional 1% effective August 28, 2004 · additional 1% effective March 13, 2005 On-Call Pay Effective April 13, 2003, on-call pay will be increased from $3.75 to $3.95 per hour. Bilingual Pay Effective November 7, 2004, the Tier 1 bilingual pay premium will be increased from $40.00 biweekly to $42.50 biweekly. Holiday Pay Effective April 13, 2003, employees working on a holiday shall be compensated at the rate of one and one-half (1-1/2) times the straight-time rate. Health, Dental and Vision Benefits Co-pays for the Kaiser and Aetna Plans were increased effective January 1, 2003. Retiree Medical Coverage The conversion for each 8 hours of sick leave will be increased for Tier 1 from $150 to $160 effective May 1, 2003, and to $165 effective November 7, 2004. The conversion rate for Tier 2 will be increased from $170 to $190 effective May 1, 2003, and to $195 effective November 7, 2004. The amount of sick leave that can be converted monthly is increased from 8 hours to 14 hours. Domestic Partner Survivorship Benefits The parties agree to jointly support legislation for same sex domestic partner survivor benefits. Any benefit change is subject to bargaining in the next negotiations.
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