Your PUD News Release

Chelan PUD reaches pay agreement with union; reduces pay pool for salaried workers

Chelan County PUD
News Release
7/19/2010

A 3-percent pay increase for bargaining unit employees was approved by Chelan County PUD commissioners Monday after Local 77 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers had ratified the tentative agreement last week. General Manager Rich Riazzi also told commissioners the pool for salaried employees would be trimmed from the original 3.75 percent in this year’s budget to 3 percent.

Raises will take effect Aug. 1, except for the general manager and four members of the PUD Executive Team who will forego any raises until February 2011.

Riazzi told commissioners the PUD has significantly cut costs the past two years as financial conditions have strained PUD budgets. Since stressful conditions continue, the decision was made to reduce the salary-increase money that was originally in the budget. Non-bargaining-unit workers’ pay increases had been postponed six months from February until August to coincide with any potential union settlement, contributing to further savings this year.

The agreement with IBEW Local 77 provides for another 3-percent bargaining unit increase Aug. 1, 2011, and a 1.25-percent increase Jan. 1, 2012. Pay changes for salaried workers are determined separately.

Riazzi pointed out that the PUD has trimmed its workforce to the lowest levels in five years but said that salaries need to remain competitive with other utilities in order to attract and retain the PUD’s skilled workforce. He pointed out the increases would keep the PUD slightly below the average pay of other Mid-Columbia PUDs.

All PUD employees took five unpaid furlough days in 2009 in a budget-cutting move. Executive Team members took additional furlough days. In all, the PUD trimmed more than $27 million from its budget last year.

Commissioner Norm Gutzwiler said PUD staff have done a great job and noted that the increases would keep Chelan PUD competitive with neighboring utilities but slightly lower.

In other business, PUD commissioners:

• Reminded one another of a board retreat scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon on Aug. 23 at the North Central Regional Library, 16 N. Columbia St., Wenatchee.
• Read an appreciative e-mail from customer George Wilson of Lake Wenatchee thanking PUD crews for their efficient work restoring electrical and fiber-optic service following high winds at Lake Wenatchee last week.

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The next regular commission meeting is at 1 p.m. on Monday, July 26, in the PUD boardroom at 327 N. Wenatchee Ave.
Most PUD commission meetings are recorded, and a link to the audio is available on the PUD’s home page at www.chelanpud.org.
Steve Lachowicz
Communications director
509-661-4639, direct line
509-679-0148, cell
steve.lachowicz@chelanpud.org