Citrus College’s human resources director announced classified staff contract negotiations with the California School Employees Association have produced a tentative agreement on Oct. 8.
Human resources director Robert Sammis announced negotiation progress at the Board of Trustees meeting on Oct. 16.
“We are currently writing up the finalized agreement, and it will go through the ratification process with CSEA before it comes to the Board for ratification,” Sammis said.
The news came as a relief to Citrus trustees member Dr. Edward Ortell, who said it is “better if the parties themselves come to an agreement.”
The district and CSEA have been at an impasse in negotiations since Sept. 7. A state mediator was brought in to bring the parties to an agreement after nine months of fruitless negotiating.
CSEA members cited a lack of campus safety officers during early morning shifts Monday through Saturday, and on Sundays. They called the district’s staffing and pay structure callous to employee welfare.
CSEA representatives said classified staff were given a salary schedule dating back to the 1970s, which starts below today’s state minimum wage, They said the starting range impacts every following range.
Sammis noted no employees were hired in the first seven ranges, below minimum wage.
He also said solo shifts for Campus Safety were not problematic because the officers are not supposed to engage violent suspects.
“We got a healthy raise,” said Cathy Day, CSEA chapter vice-president. “It follows the faculty contract.”
Day also said that part-time campus safety officers got a promotion. Part-time officers were listed as Campus Safety Officer I, but were promoted to Campus Safety Officer II.
“They do the same job,” Day said.
Day said she would hold further comment until the agreement is ratified.
