Welcome
Welcome to the IUOE State Unit 12 website. IUOE Locals 3, 39, and 501 collectively represent some 250 city, county, special districts, and schools bargaining units within the Public Sector in addition to State Unit 12.
The three Locals have some 150 full time Union business agents actively servicing the membership, a team of Union Legislative Representatives who monitor all legislation, actively oppose harmful legislation, actively carry bills that are beneficial to our members.
Breaking News:
- IUOE Unit 12 Bargaining Team to return to the Table – May 26, 2020
- Save Your Pay! Call Today! – May 19, 2020
- IUOE Unit 12 & 13 Budget Update – May 15, 2020
- IUOE Unit 12 & 13 proposes Golden Handshake retirement incentive for its members – May 13, 2020
- PERB issues complaint against Department of General Services for not notifying IUOE Unit 12 of uniform changes – May 12, 2020
- IUOE Unit 12, Local 3 chalks up two grievance wins against Caltrans – May 4, 2020
- IUOE Unit 12 Files FFCRA Grievance Against CDCR – April 29, 2020
- California excludes health care workers, emergency responders from federal sick leave
- IUOE Unit 12 Health and Safety Grievance Response at Caltrans - April 9, 2020
- Extra pay for essential workers? California state unions press for coronavirus incentives
- Families First Coronavirus Response Act FAQ's – April 8, 2020
- CalHR Policy - Families First Coronavirus Response Act
- IUOE Unit 12 negotiations suspended through May 1st
- IUOE Unit 12 makes proposal to CalHR that BU 12 and 13 workers who are designated as essential and cannot telework from home, but still have report to work, should receive recognition – March 23, 2020
- CalHR issues new Directive on COVID 19 and workplace impact – March 18, 2020
- IUOE Bargaining Unit 12 Negotiations Update #4 – March 16, 2020
- Caltrans agrees with IUOE’s request to suspend homeless encampment cleanups – March 16, 2020
- IUOE Unit 12 files Health and Safety grievances against Caltrans, Department of General Services (DGS), and State Parks for potentially exposing the Maintenance Workers and Groundskeepers to the Coronavirus while performing homeless encampment cleanups – March 12, 2020
- IUOE Local 39 files Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) charge against the Department of General Services – March 11, 2020
- IUOE Bargaining Unit 12 Negotiations Update #3 – March 6, 2020
- If You Work at Caltrans, You Should Read This – February 28, 2020
- IUOE Unit 12 has it’s second bargaining session with the State – February 27, 2020
- IUOE Unit 12 has it’s first day at the negotiating table – February 7, 2020
- IUOE Bargaining Unit 12 to begin negotiations for a successor contract – January 16, 2020
- CalPIA Board kills their General Facilities Maintenance and Repair (GFMR) Program – December 30, 2019
- IUOE Unit 12 Representatives tour CHP Cordelia Inspection Station – November 14, 2019
- IUOE Unit 12 Bargaining Survey is now available on this website – November 5, 2019
- IUOE Unit 12 wins another pay grievance against Caltrans – November 5, 2019
- IUOE Local 3 wins overtime distribution grievance against Caltrans – October 30, 2019
- IUOE Unit 12 files grievance against Caltrans for the misuse of Permanent Intermittent employees – October 25, 2019
- California prison agency spent $12,000 on retiring manager’s farewell party, records show – October 16, 2019
- IUOE Unit 12 representatives meet for the second time with the new CalPIA General Manager, Scott Walker about the GFMR Program and our demand to end it – October 15, 2019
- Caltrans to strip Highway 99 expansion funds – October 8, 2019
- State workers attacked by homeless people in Sacramento may carry pepper spray, state says – October 7, 2019
- IUOE Local 501 hits a Grand Slam against CDCR – October 2, 2019
- Caltrans finally develops a protocol for homeless encampment cleanups along with an in-person statewide training program – October 1, 2019
- Caltrans agrees to pay Unit 12 member $410.10 for late payment of wages – September 27, 2019
- Homeless attacks on state workers in Sacramento prompt pepper spray request – September 18, 2019
- Unit 12 files DGS Health & Safety Groundskeeper Assault Grievance - September 18, 2019
- State Groundskeepers Attacked By Downtown Sacramento Homeless – CBS Sacramento – September 17, 2019
- Where's the money Caltrans? – September 16, 2019
- IUOE Local 501 reaches $10,000 settlement with CalPIA over dispute about painting – September 11, 2019
- What happened to the billions of dollars of SB 1 gas tax money that Caltrans said would be going to highway/freeway road maintenance? - August 29, 2019
- Unit 12 Non-Members Have No Say and No Vote When We Begin Formulating Our Bargaining Proposals For 2020 Negotiations - August 14, 2019
- Clarification on Caltrans Mileage Reimbursement for Planned/Scheduled Overtime or a Callback – July 31, 2019
- California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Grants IUOE Unit 12 Grievance and Pulls Bogus Performance Appraisal – July 30, 2019
- IUOE Unit 12 representatives meet with the new General Manager of CalPIA - Scott Walker – July 2, 2019
- Caltrans is paying for top official’s San Diego-to-Sacramento flights, and her apartment – June 24, 2019
- You Have a Right to Refuse Hazardous Work. JUST STOP DOING IT AND SAY NO! – June 21, 2019
- It’s not a new concept for the Federal Government, but it is for the State of California, Locality Pay. – June 11, 2019
- Another Reason Our Caltrans Members Should Not Be Cleaning Up Homeless Encampments – May 31, 2019
- Nearly half of state-owned office buildings outside Sacramento would be up for sale under new plan - May 29, 2019
- IUOE Unit 12 Prevails in Department of Water Resources Arbitration Case – May 20, 2019
- IUOE Unit 12 Reaches Settlement Agreement with Salinas Valley State Prison- Psychiatric Inpatient Program (SVSP-PIP) on Work Jurisdiction Issue – May 13, 2019
- Blood and syringes: Caltrans fined after union complaint over homeless camp cleanups - May 9, 2019
- Big Win for IUOE Unit 12! CalOSHA Issues Citation and Monetary Penalties Against Caltrans on Homeless Encampment Cleanup – May 8, 2019
- IUOE Unit 12 Reaches Settlement Agreement with Department of Education Over 18.3 Violation - May 6, 2019
- IUOE Unit 12 Sonoma Developmental Center Groundskeeper is awarded over $1,000 in make whole remedy – April 25, 2019
- Workers Memorial Information – April 23, 2019
- Congratulations to Unit 12 Member Jorge Lopez from Metro State Hospital – April 11, 2019
- IUOE Settles Two CDCR Grievances at the California Training Facility (CTF) – April 4, 2019
- Another Benefit of Being an IUOE Unit 12 Member – April 2, 2019
- IUOE Settles Another CDCR Grievance – March 20, 2019
- IUOE Unit 12 Reaches Settlement Agreement with CDCR Corcoran Prison on M&SS I Work Jurisdiction Grievance – March 12, 2019
- Public Sector Union Members Dodge the Pension Bullet – March 5, 2019
- An error-free state payroll? It’ll be at least four more years, controller says - February 25, 2019
- If You Change Bargaining Units or Move Out of Unit 12 You Need to Let Us Know – February 20, 2019
- Union Membership Benefits Camp Fire Victims – February 15, 2019
- Arbitrator Prihar Rules in Favor of IUOE Unit 12 on CDCR Soledad Work Jurisdiction Grievance – February 5, 2019
- IUOE Unit 12 Representatives Participate in CalOSHA Advisory Committee Meeting on Passive Safety Devices for Brush and Wood Chippers – January 30, 2019
- IUOE Unit 12 Hits Three Home Runs Against CDCR – January 25, 2019
- Most likely you have Car, Life, Homeowners or Renters Insurance, but what about Job Insurance? – January 15, 2019
- The New Governor Needs to Invest in His State Work Force – January 7, 2019
- IUOE Unit 12, Local 39 Wins Work Jurisdiction Grievance against Department of Education – December 26, 2018
- IUOE Unit 12 Files Grievance Against The State For Hiring Approximately 130 Retired Annuitants Instead Of Active Employees - November 29, 2018
- IUOE Unit 12 to File CalOSHA Complaint Against Caltrans on Homeless Encampment Cleanups - November 7, 2018
- IUOE Unit 12 Establishes Classification Committee to Update and Revise Electronic Technician - October 29, 2018
- Pit Bull Bites Caltrans Worker Taking Pictures of a Homeless Encampment - October 18, 2018
- CalPIA Rejects IUOE Unit 12’s Recommendation for Better Skilled Trades Training - October 17, 2018
- Are You Angry and Upset About the CalPIA GFMR Program? If so, Go to the Next CalPIA Board Meeting and Let Them Know How You Feel – Updated meeting date and time - October 1, 2018
- Governor Signs Legislation To Protect Public Sector Unions Against Frivolous and Costly Lawsuits - September 19, 2018
- IUOE Unit 12 Representatives Meet with Parks and Recreation on Reorganization Plan – September 14, 2018
- IUOE Unit 12 Files Another Grievance Against Caltrans For Forcing Our Members To Cleanup Homeless Encampments – August 29, 2018
- 2018 Open Enrollment Toolkit for Health, Dental, Vision, Reimbursement Accounts, and Cash Options - August 28, 2018
- CHP Changes Course on CVIS PVI Training from Mandatory to Voluntary – August 22, 2018
- It's Early, but it's Time to Begin Preparations for Our Next Round of Contract Negotiations – August 13, 2018
- Supreme Court rules San Diego skipped key legal step in taking pension reform to voters – August 3, 2018
- IUOE Unit 12 Representatives Attend CHP PVI Training for Commercial Vehicle Inspection Specialists – July 31, 2018
- More Proof That The Janus U.S. Supreme Court Case Had Nothing To Do With Freedom Of Speech – July 23, 2018
- The Wins Keep On Coming. IUOE Unit 12, Local 501 Reaches Settlement With CDCR, Ironwood State Prison Over Post And Bid Violation – July 23, 2018
- IUOE Unit 12 Sends Another Opposition Letter to CalPIA On Their Problem-Plagued GFMR Program – July 18, 2018
- IUOE Unit 12 Local 3 Reaches Settlement Agreement with Caltrans District 1 - July 16, 2018
- Feces, blood, syringes at California Capitol: Workers unprepared for clean up, OSHA says - July 3, 2018
- CalOSHA Issues Nine Citations and Penalties Against the Department of General Services for Health and Safety Violations at the State Capitol Park – July 2, 2018
- US Supreme Court Makes Huge Mistake in Janus Decision - June 27, 2018
- CalPERS Adopts Health Rates With a 1.16 Percent Increase - June 20, 2018
- State Personnel Board (SPB) Disapproves CalPIA Multi-Million Dollar Trucking Contracts. Huge Win for IUOE Local 501 - June 15, 2018
- IUOE Unit 12, Local 39 Files Grievance Against CDCR Dual Vocational Institute (DVI) For Forcing Our Members To Perform Work Not In Their Job Specifications - June 15, 2018
- All IUOE Unit 12 Members To Receive A 3.5% General Salary Increase Effective July 1, 2018
- Caltrans Responds to Our Health and Safety Homeless Camp Cleanup Grievance with a Bogus Response - June 8, 2018
- San Francisco's Homeless Crisis Is Now a Poop Crisis - June 5, 2018
- How Many Arbitration Decisions Does PIA And CDCR Have To Lose Before They Get The Message - June 4, 2018
- IUOE Unit 12 Files Statewide Grievance Against The Department Of Parks And Recreation For Forcing Our Members To Clean Up Homeless Encampments – May 24, 2018
California's Vietnam era pay system delaying state worker wage hikes, union says. Click here to see the article
Today, April 26, 2017, The International Union of Operating Engineers Locals 3, 39, and 501 filed a grievance against the State of California for a delayed payment of our negotiated wage increases and retroactive pay. We will keep you informed of the outcome of the filing. Click here to see the grievance details
Caltrans to Honor 187 Fallen Highway Workers at the 27th Annual Workers Memorial on April 27, 2017. Click here to see event details
As you know last Wednesday, March 15th, Governor Jerry Brown signed Senate Bill 28 (Pan), our collective bargaining memorandum of understanding (MOU) legislation.
The bill contains a wage increase, special salary adjustments for thirty seven classifications, retro pay for these increases, and an adjustment to the employer’s contribution to health care premiums, to name just a few of our economic improvements.
What we thought would be a short journey for the bill through the legislature turned out to be much longer than all of the unions covered by the legislation anticipated. On top of that, there seems to be a variety of delays in getting the State Controller’s Office to implement the payroll changes.
We had hoped to see the improvements on the April check, but from what we have been told by CalHR these may not show up on our members’ checks until June.
The reason we have been given for the delay is because of the State Controller’s antiquated payroll system and their current backlog.
Once we get a firm date for the implementation, we will put that out in an email blast and post it on our website.
In Solidarity,
IUOE Unit 12
Before any of the provisions of our new tentative agreement can be effective, it must be ratified by our Union members and the California State Legislature.
As you know, our members ratified the tentative agreement on January 27, 2017.
Now that the legislature has reconvened, our tentative agreement (M.O.U. bill) is moving through the legislature. It was passed 3 to 2 out of the Senate Public Employment and Retirement Committee on Monday on a party line vote. It is now set for a vote in the Senate Committee on Appropriations Thursday.
Once our bill (Senate Bill 28 by Pan) passes both houses and is signed by the Governor it becomes law and the ratification process is complete.
As soon as this happens CalHR and the State Controller’s Office will begin implementing the economic (raises, health care, reimbursements) provisions of the new M.O.U. The timing of this depends on when the legislature completes the process.
In Solidarity,
The International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 3, 39, and 501
We are pleased to announce that after nearly 20 months and 43 bargaining sessions (including three mediation sessions) the tentative agreement reached with the State on December 13, 2016 has been overwhelmingly accepted by our members and ratified.
The I.U.O.E. would like to thank our bargaining team members for their hard work, dedication, and perseverance during this arduous process. We would also like to thank our members who supported our fight for a fair and equitable contract by showing up at rallies and demonstrations at CalHR and other various State worksites.
Your participation and willingness to stand up and fight back has not gone unnoticed by this administration. We will continue to press forward and take a strong stand at each and every opportunity we get.
In Solidarity,
The International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 3, 39, and 501
After 20 months, over 40 bargaining sessions, three mediation sessions, and a declaration of impasse, your Unit 12 bargaining team reached a new tentative agreement with the State on December 13, 2016.
The ballots are in the mail for all active dues paying members of Unit 12. If you have not received a ballot by January 11, 2017, please send an email to debbie@unit12.org no later than January 16, 2017 with your name, mailing address and last four of your ssn to request a duplicate ballot.
The ballots must be received in the Post Office Box by January 26, 2017. Ballots will be counted on January 27, 2017.
Click here to read about Impasse, Mediation and the Right to Strike
Please plan to attend a Demonstration for Fair Pay on December 2, 2016. Click here to see the Demonstration Flyer for time and location details.
On Wednesday, November 2, 2016, the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) approved the Union’s request for impasse. PERB has assigned a mediator to assist the State and the Union in reaching an agreement. The parties are attempting to schedule mediation for the fourth or fifth week of November.
We will continue our fight for a fair and equitable contract.
In Solidarity,
Your Unit 12 Bargaining Team
The Unit 12 bargaining team met with the State for the third time on Tuesday, October 25th in pre-impasse mediation. The parties are still apart on the amount of the general salary increases, the amount of the employee contribution for retiree medical (OPEB), and the duration of the agreement. On Wednesday, October 26th, we resubmitted our request for impasse to the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB). PERB has five days to grant or deny our request for impasse. Our fight for a fair and equitable contract continues on.
In Solidarity,
Your Unit 12 Bargaining Team
We met in mediation yesterday for the second time and we still don't have an agreement. We will be back in mediation next Tuesday, October 25th.
In Solidarity,
Your Unit 12 Bargaining Team
Read the letter sent to the leadership of the State Legislature concerning our fight for a fair and reasonable contract
We had a positive mediation session with the State yesterday. Our next mediation session is set for October 18, 2016.
In Solidarity,
Your Unit 12 Bargaining Team
The International Union of Operating Engineers and the State have agreed to participate in pre-impasse mediation in a good faith effort to find common ground and reach a tentative agreement on a new contract. The mediation date is set for Monday, September 26, 2016.
In Solidarity,
Your Unit 12 Bargaining Team
Buzz Harlow, Mike Howard, Troy Laabs, Robert Estrada, Todd Allen, Dan Christensen, and Richard Johnson
Special message from Local 501 Business Manager Edward J. Curly
Business Manager Edward J. Curly and the entire Local 501 family are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic news of the passing of Brother Jorge Lopez. On Thursday, September 1, 2016, Brother Lopez was struck and killed by a big rig on state route 14 in Acton, California during the course of his duties working to keep our highways safe. On behalf of Edward J. Curly, Local 501 extends our deepest condolences to the Lopez family, friends, colleagues, and extended CalTrans family on the loss of one of our State of California CalTrans workers and Union member. Brother Lopez is survived by his wife Leticia and three children.
In the Sept. 2 Sacramento Bee Article: "Brown Dining with Donors as he Weighs What to Sign," false statements were written about political contributions made by various organizations of the California Operating Engineers. In fact, what occurred is the following:
- IUOE contributed $250,000 in the past three months to the No on Prop 53 campaign (including $125,000 from the International in Washington D.C). Money was not contributed to the Governor's account.
- Lobbyists and business managers representing California Operating Engineers did not privately dine with the Governor nor do they plan to in the future.
- However, we have engaged in discussions with the Governor in regard to Units 12 and 13 contract negotiations, as this remains one of California Operating Engineers' top priorities. We continue to seek further engagement with the administration -- specifically top Governor Brown aide, Nancy McFadden -- and both legislative leaders.
Furthermore, we are seeking a correction from the Sacramento Bee.
The Unit 12 bargaining team met with the State last Thursday and the State is still maintaining their previous position with respect to general salary increases, retiree medical (OPEB), the Caltrans once a month payroll conversion, and the classification special salary adjustments. We gave it one last chance before the legislature recesses and it was unsuccessful. We will proceed with our filing for Impasse with the Public Employment Relations Board.
There are no actions or events scheduled at this time. The next step with the State will be mediation. In the meantime please continue to contact your local legislators and let them know how unhappy you are with the State's latest proposal and that the State should not be playing favorites amongst bargaining units.
We are going back to the bargaining table with the State of California on Thursday, August 25, 2016. Stay tuned for news and updates.
IUOE and its bargaining team will be back at the table bargaining on Aug. 18 & 19. If you are a full member and wish to receive email updates, please send your personal email to: debbie@unit12.org
August 15, 2016: Call and email your legistlator's now!Use this link to find out who your legislator is and how to contact them. Find your California Rep now!
Call or email them to tell them what you think of the state's latest offer.
As you know, the membership voted and overwhelming rejected the tentative agreement on July 6th. Yesterday, we met with the State to hear their responses to the proposals we gave them during our last bargaining session on July 21st.
Their response to our proposals was a comprehensive proposal of their own. The State's proposal included: 1) withdrawing their proposals for special salary adjustments for Telecom Technicians; the Electrician series, which includes Electronic Technicians; and the Heavy Equipment Mechanic series; 2) withdrawing their proposal to provide an increase in the boot allowance, which added CHP and CDCR workers; and, 3) withdrawing their proposal to increase the uniform reimbursement for CalFire and Parks & Recreation.
The Unit 12 Bargaining Team returned to the table on Thursday, July 21st to share with the administration's representatives the reasons for the rejection of the tentative agreement. We re-proposed our last General Salary Increase proposal which was 5% July 1, 2016, 5% July 1, 2017, and 4% July 1, 2018 and told the State that their offer of 3% July 1, 2016, 4% July 1, 2017, and 3% July 1, 2018 was not enough in light of the State's demand that workers pay 4.6% of their hard earned money into the retiree OPEB account. We also revisited several of our classification inequity proposals which were rejected by the State earlier this year. Download the Strike Pledge card now!We return to the bargaining table on Thursday August 4th. If you want to keep up to date on unit 12 developments, send us your personal (not work) email address to debbie@unit12.org.
July 12, 2016: Back to the bargaining table!
We are going back to the bargaining table with the State of California on July 21. Stay tuned for updates as they become available.
The Unit 12 Tentative Agreement did not pass in the recent vote. The members voice was heard as the ballots were tallied. The vote reflected that the members were not pleased with the states proposed contract. The Unit 12 bargaining team will continue to press forward with this administration to secure a fair contract for the men and women we serve.