Classification Issues Under New MOU to Be
Studied by Fort Sutter PECG Officers

by Paul Milkey, Vice President Rank and File
Fort Sutter Section

Fort Sutter members recently ratified a new contract that provides for raises that will bring unit 9 employees to pay parity with engineers at local public agencies (see 2003 - 2009 MOU). The raises are scheduled to be phased in over four years, from July 2005 to July 2008. The raises will be based on surveys comparing a "benchmark" classification (transportation engineer) with the comparable classification at other specified public agencies. In addition, three "levels" under the benchmark are used to determine the amount of the raises: 1) Entry/Non-Registered Journey; 2) Registered Journey; and 3) Supervisory Level. The raises for the supervisory level are the highest, with raises for the registered journey level higher than for entry/nonregistered journey.

Fort Sutter members have raised some questions about where they would fall under the three levels provided in the new contract. For example, Air Pollution Specialists are scientists that do not have a "registration" available to them. Veteran employees would not fit into an "entry level" classification, yet are not (and cannot become) "registered." In response, the Fort Sutter officers discussed this at the Fort Sutter Officer's section meeting, held October 24, 2003, and concluded the need to come up with recommendations for non-registered scientists in ARB as well as similar groups such as petroleum engineers, geologists, and construction supervisors. If you are unsure about where your classification falls under the new contract, or can provide information that may be useful to the Fort Sutter Officers, please contact any of the Fort Sutter Officers or email them here.