Tentative Agreement Report

Port of Oakland & SEIU Local 1021

December 2, 2025

 

Overview

After months of bargaining, the SEIU Local 1021 Bargaining Team is pleased to announce that we have reached a comprehensive tentative agreement with the Port of Oakland. This successor Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) secures wage increases, enhances benefits, and improves disciplinary protections for our members.

The agreement is subject to membership ratification and final adoption by the Board of Port Commissioners. We will soon schedule a round of meetings to discuss these details in person.

Terms of Agreement

• Duration: 33 Months
• Effective Dates: October 1, 2025 – June 30, 2028

 

Economic Highlights

Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA)

We have secured wage increases tied to the CPI-U (San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward) for every year of the contract, ensuring our wages keep pace with inflation with guaranteed minimums.

• Year 1 (Effective Jan 1, 2026): Increase between 2.0% – 3.0%
  (Based on CPI Oct ‘24–Oct ‘25)
• Year 2 (Effective July 1, 2026): Increase between 2.0% – 3.0%
  (Based on CPI Apr ‘25–Apr ‘26)
• Year 3 (Effective July 1, 2027): Increase between 2.0% – 3.5%
  (Based on CPI Apr ‘26–Apr ‘27)

 

Shift Differentials

• Graveyard Shift Increase: The differential for the graveyard shift will increase from 7% to 9.5%.

  • Effective Date: First pay period following the implementation of the new shift bid after January 1, 2026.
• Swing Shift: Remains at 5%.

Benefits & Allowances

Professional Development (Effective July 1, 2026)

• Increased Allowance: The annual reimbursement limit increases from $600 to $750.
• New Wellness Usage: Members may now use up to 100% of these funds for wellness/fitness classes.
• Tool / Equipment Policy: Reimbursement for physical items (tools/equipment) will now require pre-approval and must be required for a live instructor-led course.

Safety Shoes

• Increased Allowance: The reimbursement amount for safety shoes has been raised to $275.

Time Off & Holidays

Holidays

• Floating Holidays: The number of floating holidays has been increased from one (1) to three (3) per calendar year. These must be used within the calendar year and do not carry over.

One-Time Additional Paid Leave

• The Port will grant one (1) additional day of paid leave to employees in Units A and B.
  • Eligibility: Must be in paid status as of the first pay period following the new shift bid after Jan 1, 2026, and not assigned to the graveyard shift (as graveyard workers are receiving the differential increase).
  • Usage: Must be used by June 30, 2028.

Working Conditions & Rights

Discipline & Personnel Files

We negotiated significant improvements to how discipline is handled and recorded:

• Sealing Reprimands: Members may request to seal a written reprimand after 2 years (subject to good behavior and approval).
• Removing Reprimands: Members may request the removal of a written reprimand from their file after 4 years (subject to clean record during that time).
• Coaching & Counseling: Explicit language states that coaching/counseling is not discipline and effectively cannot be kept in the official personnel file unless attached to an evaluation.
• Arbitration for Reprimands: While written reprimands generally cannot be arbitrated, they becomesubject to arbitration if the Port uses them to support further discipline (like suspension or termination) later.

Alternate Work Schedules

• Division Directors retain authority to grant/rescind schedules, but they must now provide a written explanation for any denial or rescission.
• Employees may appeal a denial to the Human Resources Director for a written explanation.

Grievance Procedure

• Arbitrator Selection: The list of impartial arbitrators has been updated.
• Discharge Option: Employees / Union may still elect to submit discharge grievances to the Civil Service Board instead of an arbitrator.

Next Steps:

This summary highlights the major changes. The full text of the Tentative Agreements will be available for review at the upcoming ratification meetings.

Voting:

NOTICE OF VOTING SCHEDULE & EDUCATIONAL MEETING 

To: SEIU Local 1021 Members at the Port of Oakland Subject: Important: Upcoming Vote and Educational Sessions

Eligibility Requirement To participate in this vote, you must be a current union member in good standing.

Voting Locations & Times 

Please visit the location most convenient for you during the times listed below.

1. Union Hall (Voting & Educational Meeting)
   Dates: December 15 (Monday) & December 17 (Wednesday)
   Time: 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM
   Location: SEIU Local 1021 Union Hall, 100 Oak Street, Oakland, CA 94607
2. Port of Oakland Facilities (On-Site Voting)
   Time: 5:30 AM – 12:00 PM (Both Days)
   December 16 (Tuesday): Terminal 1, M102 Mt. Diablo Conference Room
   December 18 (Thursday): Terminal 1, M102 Yosemite Conference Room

Release Time for Voting 

Members are authorized for 30 minutes of release time during their scheduled shifts to cast their ballots. Please coordinate with your supervisor to ensure coverage while you vote.

In Solidarity,

SEIU Local 1021 Bargaining Team