Staff members of the California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO, represented by the Pacific Media Workers Guild have a tentative agreement for a new two-year contract.

The proposal calls for an immediate 5 percent pay increase, followed by a bonus the next year. Our members proposed pension changes that would help stabilize the retirement plan while preserving an outstanding benefit package.

Other proposed changes include improved relocation expenses in case of transfers, a shift to a Teamsters-sponsored, high-quality health plan at no cost to employees, and streamlined policies on vacation accrual and comp time.

The proposal has been submitted to TNG contracts officials. Members are expected to vote within a few days whether to ratify the proposed agreement.

State Fed staffers Melanie Hallahan and Caitlin Vega formed the core of our bargaining committee, aided by several other members. Executive Officer Carl Hall served as chief negotiator, backed by Administrative Officer Kat Anderson.

The previous agreement expired October 31. Terms were extended while talks continued.

Art Pulaski, executive secretary-treasurer of the CLF, was the top management representative during the talks. He was joined by chief of staff Angie Wei. Rome Aloise, principal officer of Teamsters Local 853 and Joint Council 7, who also serves as head of the labor federation’s finance committee, played an instrumental role in reaching the final deal.