O.C. and sheriff’s union may have a deal
After a series of work slowdowns affecting Orange County courts, sheriff’s deputies Friday reached a tentative labor agreement with the county that would raise their salaries and possibly save the county $140 million by restructuring retirees’ medical plans.
Under the new three-year deal, deputies would receive a pay hike of 4.75% retroactive to October 2006, an immediate raise of 4.6% and another 3% increase in October 2008.
The agreement also calls for an outside audit of the medical trust fund administered by the 1,600-member Assn. of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs.
For years, the powerful deputies union had fought efforts to allow its fund to be examined.
Officials for the county, which contributes about $629 per month for each deputy, estimate that the fund holds about $13.4 million in excess reserves.
According to the terms of the agreement, the sheriff’s association will be the first bargaining unit in the county to replace the retiree medical grant with individual health savings accounts, a move county officials contend helps reduce long-term healthcare costs and eliminate an unfunded liability.
County CEO Thomas G. Mauk called the agreement a “landmark accomplishment.”
Representatives of the county sheriff’s deputies association could not be reached for comment.
County supervisors are expected to approve the contract at Tuesday’s board meeting.
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