To: Board of Supervisors
From: Monica Nino, County Administrator
Report Title: Memorandum of Understanding with the Physicians and Dentists of Contra Costa.
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
ADOPT a resolution approving the agreement for a successor Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Contra Costa County and the Physician and Dentists of Contra Costa (PDOCC), implementing negotiated wage increases and other terms and conditions of employment, for the period of April 1, 2026 through March 31, 2027.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The financial impact of salary increases is approximately $2.99 million dollars for the twelve-month term of the MOU, in addition to a one-time lump sum of approximately $847,000. The increased cost to the bilingual differential is approximately $98,000 annually and the increased cost to the various incentive bonuses outlined in Section 6.7 is approximately $5,400, dependent on participation. The increased cost to the telehealth incentive is projected to be approximately $33,520 and is recoverable through increased telehealth visits. The cost of vacation buyback varies by physician and will be dependent upon usage. All economic items are effective May 1, 2026.
BACKGROUND:
The County began bargaining with PDOCC on July 24, 2025. A Tentative Agreement was reached on May 5, 2026. The Union completed their ratification on May 15, 2026. The resulting Memorandum of Understanding between the County and the Union, attached, includes modifications to wages, working conditions, and other economic items.
In summary, those changes are:
Section 32.4 Duration of Agreement
• The term of the agreement is from April 1, 2026 through March 31, 2027.
Section 5 - Salaries
• Section 5.1: Effective May 1, 2026 the base rate of pay for all classifications represented by the Union will be increased by four percent (4%).
• Section 5.9: Bargaining unit members will receive a one-time lump sum payment equivalent to one percent (1%) of their base annual wage rate, calculated as of the effective date of the across the board increase, prorated in accordance with the employee’s position hours.
Section 3 - No Discrimination
• Clarify that discrimination complaints are processed through the provisions outlined in Administrative Bulletin 429.
Section 9.3 - Policies governing the Use of Paid Sick Leave
• Update bereavement leave language to permit 5 days of leave irrespective of travel.
Section 10 - Vacation Buy Back - Permit eligible staff to sell back up to 1/3 of their annual vacation accruals once per calendar year.
Section 6.8 - Direct Patient Care and Administrative Time
• Increase payment to $60 per qualifying telehealth visit.
Section 6.7 - Operational Adjustments
• Increase the existing Access Incentive Bonus from $1,500 to $1,650 per quarter.
• Increase the existing Patient Experience Incentive Bonus from $500 to $590.
• Increase the existing Quality Incentive Bonus from $500 to $590.
Section 30 - Bilingual Pay
• Increase bilingual pay from $100 per month to $200 per month.
Section 10 - Leave of Absence
• Clarify that employees may access the County’s benefits webpage for benefits information.
Section 14.8 - Disciplinary Investigations, Action
• Except in termination, all records of disciplinary action will not be considered three years after the date of the disciplinary action, subject to conditions.
Section 18.2 - Educational Leave
• Employees may use Educational Leave during certain leaves of absences.
Section 34 - Provider Support and Patient Access Committee
• Establish a new committee where physicians and management partner to improve patient support and access.
Section 2.8 - Patient Access and Service Continuity
• Permit the County to contract out for external providers working above 20 hours per week, subject to certain conditions.
Section 9.8 - State Disability Insurance General Provisions
• Eliminated this section due to the fact that PDOCC no longer participates in the SDI program.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
The County will be out of contract with PDOCC, which may cause labor issues.
THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
and for Special Districts, Agencies and Authorities Governed by the Board
body
IN THE MATTER OF the agreement for a successor Memoranda of Understanding with the Physicians and Dentists of Contra Costa for the period of April 1, 2026 through March 31, 2027.
The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors acting in its capacity as the governing board of the County of Contra Costa RESOLVES THAT:
The agreement for a successor memorandum of understanding between Contra Costa County and the Physicians and Dentists of Contra Costa providing for wages, benefits and other terms and conditions of employment for the period beginning April 1, 2026 through March 31, 2027, is ADOPTEDend