Water District, Employees Strike Deal

The Coachella Valley Water District and a union representing 300 employees put aside differences and agreed to a two-year contract.

“These were difficult negotiations,’’ CVWD Board President Peter Nelson said. “The board had to balance the needs of the district's hard-working employees with the fiscal responsibility to the rate payers.”

The union board said in a statement: "We are proud that throughout these difficult negotiations the dedication of our employees to the public did not waiver. As we move forward, our goal as a Union will be to continue to protect our member's rights and ensure that CVWD is a quality employer."

SEIU 721 and the district agreed to a new contract that includes a 2 percent salary increase for each year, according to a district news release.

Employees will also pay 2 percent toward their retirement benefits and an additional 2 perfect the following year, with new hires paying a full 8 percent contribution rate.

The eligibility requirement for retirees to receive medical benefits has been increased for new hires from 10 to 15 years, according to the district.

The contract went into effect Aug. 9 and it remains in effect until June 30, 2013.

The CVWD serves more than 107,000 residential and business customers across 1,000 square miles, primarily in Riverside County, but also in portions of Imperial and San Diego counties.