State Center Community College District trustees on Monday morning approved a new three-year contract with noninstructional employees that includes pay increases, stipends, an increase in the district’s contribution to the medical insurance premium, and new work schedules.

The contract with the California School Employees Association Local 379, which is backdated to July 1, also includes a four-year pilot telework project that Vice Chancellor Julianna Mosier said is “really important for our ongoing ability to attract and retain CSEA unit members.”

The contract also makes permanent the option of a four-day, 10-hour work week and a nine-day, 80-hour work schedule.

The trustees voted 6-0 to approve the contract. Trustee Richard Caglia was absent from the special meeting.

The contract includes cost-of-living raises provided by the state each year plus 1% in years one and two, a 1.75% one-time stipend in year one and a 1% stipend in year two, and additional pay steps for sign language interpreters.

More Money for Healthcare Premium

The district’s contribution to the health fund premium will increase from $1,135 to $1,250 monthly, and starting Oct. 1, 2024, will increase by the same percentage but not above any cost-of-living increase provided by the state.

While the contract was being negotiated this year, unit members repeatedly addressed trustees at board meetings about what they were seeking, which included more healthcare coverage and a three-year pact instead of the two-year agreement the district was trying to negotiate.

Even after the district threatened to withhold the state’s cost-of-living raise if the new contract was not signed by Oct. 3, the membership said they were willing to lose pay in exchange for free healthcare.

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Chief negotiator Tyler Johns did not respond Monday afternoon to a query about whether the $1,250 covers the entire premium cost.

Local 379 membership “overwhelmingly” approved the new deal on Thursday, local president Virginia Beamer told the trustees. The union represents more than 600 State Center employees.