Bargaining Agreements in California

What You Need to Know About Bargaining Agreements in California

Employers and unions representing employees negotiate wages, hours, and terms of conditions for employment, among other issues. Here’s everything you need to know about bargaining agreements in California.

California’s government adheres to a collective bargaining strategy, a process for negotiating wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment. California has 21 bargaining units, all designated to negotiate with the State employer. Some employers are exempt from collective bargaining.

The 21 Bargaining Units in California

Here is a list of the 21 bargaining units in California:

Administrative, Financial, and Staff Services
Attorneys and Hearing Officers
Professional Educators and Librarians
Office and Allied
Highway Patrol
Corrections
Protective Services and Public Safety

Firefighter
Professional Engineers
Professional Scientific
Engineering and Scientific Technicians
Craft and Maintenance
Stationary Engineer
Printing and Allied Trades

Allied Services
Physicians, Dentists, and Podiatrists
Registered Nurses
Psychiatric Technicians
Health and Social Services/Professional
Medical and Social Services
Educational Consultants and Library

For more information on each bargaining unit, visit the California State Workforce website.

Exempt Employee Salaries

In California, employers establish exempt salaries for each position based on certain circumstances. Job duties, responsibilities, organization relationships, and comparable positions with similar roles dictate what salaries are exempt. You can find California’s “Exempt Salary Schedule for January 2021” here.

Elected California officers whose salaries are established by the California Citizens Compensation Commission and appointed state officers in the Executive Branch whose salaries are fixed by law are “statutory” exemptions. Other positions whose salaries are recommended by the designated authority figure and approved by the Governor’s Office and/or the California Human Resources Department are “non-statutory” exemptions.

The Public Employment Relations Board

The California Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) administers the collective bargaining statutes covering employees in:

California’s public schools, colleges, and universities,
The State of California,
Local public agencies,
Trial court and trial court interpreters,
Supervisor roles with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority,
The Judicial Council,
The Orange County Transportation Authority,
The Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART),
State-funded early care and education program as childcare providers.

PERB regulations prohibit the board from enforcing agreements between the parties. Per California’s labor relations statute, PERB cannot issue a complaint on any charge based on an alleged violation or an agreement classifying as an unfair practice.

PER has broad discretion to take action and issue orders as necessary to effectuate the purposes and policies of each of the statutes it administers. Remedies PERB may offer include orders for back and front pay, orders for reinstatement of employees, cessation of dues deductions, and disclosure of relevant information. PERB can seek enforcement in a court of law for its subpoenas, rulings, orders, or decisions. However, PERB does not have the authority to grant punitive damages.

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If you or a loved one would like to learn more about Bargaining Agreements California, get your free consultation with one of our Employment Attorneys in California today!