SEIU 1021

Superior Court of San Joaquin County chapter ratifies new contract

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After several months of negotiations, the Superior Court of San Joaquin County chapter has ratified a new contract addressing long-standing requests, wage increases, longevity pay, and significant comp time.  

Here’s what was won:

  • Wages: 4% the first full pay period after we ratify. Another 2% the first full pay period on or after October 1, 2027 — plus another 1% on top if the Court’s ongoing base funding for FY 2027-28 comes in 3% or more above this year.
  • Dependent dental & vision:  Covering your family used to cost you the entire premium. The Court will now pay 80% of it and you pay 20%. For anyone with dependents, this is real money back in every check.
  • Longevity pay: New $600 at 20 years. The 25-year payment goes from $500 to $800 — and anyone already paid the $500 gets $300 more within 30 days of ratification. New $1,200 at 30 years.
  • Vacation: At 15 years you now earn 184 hours a year instead of 160— three extra days. At 20 years you reach the top rate of 200 hours a year. That top rate used to take 25 years, so it arrives five years sooner.
  • Classification and compensation study: Started within 120 days. An independent consultant, not Court staff, comparing our classifications against ten named Superior Courts. The Court must share the results with us within 30 days of the study being finished, and the vendor presents the findings at a meeting.
  • Comp time: The cap on accumulated comp time goes from 80 hours to 120. That is an extra 40 hours you can hold and use as time off instead of losing the choice.

“Being a part of the bargaining team was an important experience, and I’m excited for what we were able to accomplish together. Negotiations take lot of time, communication, and commitment, but at the end of the day it’s about making sure our members’ voices are heard and their interests represented,” said SEIU 1021 member and Court Clerk Dayna Blanke. “I’m proud that we came together, reached an agreement, and ratified a contract that fulfilled some long-standing requests and allows us to move forward as a stronger team.”