The Union agreed to accept PacifiCare as a medical provider in place of Aetna, Signa and Healthnet. Acknowledging the Union's willingness to bargain to reach an agreement, the Company responded with verbal counterproposals in a late-night exchange that lead to tentative agreement over many items. Part time workers can choose Low Cost HMO medical coverage or cash payments monthly. The JSC has concerns over how to monitor the Company's proposed minimum hours condition for part time workers to qualify for benefits. The JSC proposed allowing part time employees to seek remedy to disputes over their hours through the grievance process.
Details remain unresolved.
The Union and Company agreed not to initiate a Cash Balance retirement plan. Cash Balance retirement plans hurt long-term employees by limiting contributions prior to retirement. SoCal Edison's controversial Cash Balance retirement plan proposal stalled benefit negotiations with IBEW members for nearly two years The Company agreed to include lost time on Union leave for retirement purposes. This agreement will include current SoCalGas employees who have been negatively impacted by prior retirement plans. The Company will make Tradelink accessible to represented employees at the same cost as non-represented employees.