Workers, MWD Approve New Contract

Workers and management at the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California on Thursday announced agreement on a five-year salary and benefits package that was negotiated without acrimony and in record time.

Increases in the proposed package average 5.15% annually, with a total cost to the district of about $26 million over the next five years, said Adan Ortega Jr., spokesman for the $2-billion water district.

However, no increase is anticipated in the district’s basic water rates, which have remained stable in recent years, he said.

“We’re exceptionally happy with the contract; it gives us a good wage increase and healthy benefits,” said Robert Reeves Sr., executive president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Local 1902.

“And at only four months and 10 days of negotiations,” he added, “it’s the quickest contract resolution in my 15 years as union president.”

Bargaining typically takes seven to nine months to complete, he said.

Union membership reaches from downtown Los Angeles to the California side of the Colorado River. Operations, which include running heavy pumping machinery, are critical to the delivery of water to Southern California.

“Management is very happy with the contract,” said Ortega.

The new contract, coupled with ongoing reorganization efforts, he said, will mean “more reliable service to the customers.”