Union pushing IID board for higher pay
EL CENTRO — At the Imperial Irrigation District director’s meeting on Sept. 22, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers came out in force to ask for wage increases.
Board President Norma Sierra Galindo received 29 letters most which said the same thing, along with several telephone calls.
The IBEW argument focused on that while the coronavirus rages on in the county, they have put their safety at risk to continue to do their jobs.
IID Director Bruce Kuhn said the while there is no question he would like to give out increased wages, it is not as easy as some may think.
“They want a raise, but we don’t print money like the government does,” he said. “We have a budget, a balanced budget.”
Kuhn was not surprised so many employees represented by IBEW wrote letters because they are currently in negotiations with the district.
They accused General Manager Henry Martinez of not caring when he told them there might be no raises, saying the onset of COVID-19 is no reason not to increase wages.
The electrical workers also told the IID directors their pay is a lot less than what workers in other parts of the state make for doing the same work.
“In our business, it has to come from rate increases to pay (for raises),” Kuhn said.
He also said the district does not want to let people go to give others more money.
“I would love to give them all raises, but there is a fine line,” he said. “The money would have to come from the ratepayers.”
The IID, Kuhn added, is a great place to work. About six years ago the district was suffering because as employees left, they were not replaced, leading to a lot of overtime.
When the IID advertised for 15 water clerks, 1,500 people applied for the jobs, telling him the retirement and benefits package of IID is enticing.
He reiterated that the district would like to give out increases to all of its workers if it was possible.
“It’s a tough spot to be in,” he said.
COVID-19 has had significant impact on the district as thousands of customers have stopped paying their power bills, especially after IID announced there would be no disconnections during the pandemic.
Kuhn said the millions of dollars lost from people not paying their bills has had an impact on the bottom line.
“It’s gone,” Kuhn said. “While we want to do something, how are we going to do it?”
Kuhn said he also thinks if there are going to be any raises, the district and the union will have to reach a common ground.
“They are very good people, and I understand why they are doing this,” Kuhn said. “The money would have to come from the ratepayers.”