To: Board of Supervisors
From: Monica Nino, County Administrator
Report Title: Resolution approving the Memoranda of Understanding and Side Letter between Contra Costa County and Teamsters, Local 856.
Recommendation: Recommendation of the County Administrator
RECOMMENDATIONS:
ADOPT Resolution No.2026-319 approving the successor Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Contra Costa County and Teamsters Local 856, implementing negotiated wage agreements and other economic terms and conditions of employment, for the period of August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2028, and approving a Side Letter to conduct a compensation study during the term of the successor MOU.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The estimated increase in salary costs of the negotiated contract between the County and Teamsters, Local 856 is $7.6 million for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 and $7.8 million for Fiscal Year 2027-2028. The continuation of the current health care subsidy for the Teamsters Trust Fund KP Health Plan represents approximately $1.9 million per year and may adjust in future years dependent upon Kaiser Plan A employee contribution rates.
The reclassifications and salary reallocations for mental health classifications will increase costs by up to $3.9 million annually.
Operating departments will be responsible for absorbing the increased personnel costs and will need to monitor expenditures to remain within budget during the fiscal year.
BACKGROUND:
The County began bargaining with Teamsters, Local 856 on February 24, 2026. The contract between the parties expired on June 30, 2026. A Tentative Agreement was reached between the County and the Union on August 12, 2026. The Union completed their ratification on August 20, 2026. The resulting Tentative Agreements between the County and the Union are incorporated in the attached MOU, and include modifications to wages and health care, and establish separate classifications of Mental Health Clinical Specialist - Licensed and Mental Health Clinical Specialist - Unlicensed.
The parties also agreed that the County would conduct a compensation study during the term of the MOU, as reflected in the attached Side Letter.
In summary, the County and Union agreed to modify the following provisions in the existing MOU:
1. Duration of Agreement - Section 51.4
This Agreement will continue in full force and effect from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2028.
2. General Wages - Section 5.1.A
a. Effective August 1, 2026, the base rate of pay for all classifications represented by the Union will be increased by three percent (3%).
b. Effective July 1, 2027, the base rate of pay for all classifications represented by the Union will be increased by three percent (3%).
3. Salary Adjustments - Section 5.1.C
a. Effective the first day of the month following the effective date of the salary increase in Section 5.1.A.1, the County will establish separate classifications of Mental Health Clinical Specialist - Licensed, Mental Health Clinical Specialist - Unlicensed. The newly established classifications will be designated by the Director of Human Resources as flexibly staffed positions. Current incumbents in the Mental Health Clinical Specialist (VQSB) classification will be reclassified into the new classes based on qualifications. The salary schedules for the new classifications will be as follows:
Mental Health Clinical Specialist - Unlicensed
|
Step |
Annual Salary |
|
1 |
$82,859.50 |
|
2 |
$87,002.47 |
|
3 |
$91,352.60 |
|
4 |
$95,920.23 |
|
5 |
$100,716.24 |
|
6 |
$105,752.05 |
|
7 |
$111,039.65 |
Mental Health Clinical Specialist - Licensed
|
Step |
Annual Salary |
|
1 |
$113,585.89 |
|
2 |
$119,265.18 |
|
3 |
$125,228.44 |
|
4 |
$131,489.86 |
b. Effective immediately following the increase in Section 5.1.A.1, the salary schedule of the Mental Health Clinical Specialist - Per Diem (VQSK) classification will be increased by 7.28%.
c. Effective immediately following the increase in Section 5.1.A.1, the top step of the salary schedule of the Clinical Psychologist (VQTB) classification will be increased by 7.28%. The lower salary steps will be increased proportionately in amounts necessary to preserve the existing percentage differential between each step.
d. Effective immediately following the increase in Section 5.1.A.1, align the salary schedule of the Mental Health Community Support Worker I (VQWE) classification with the Community Health Worker I (VKWC) classification.
e. Effective immediately following the increase in Section 5.1.A.1, align the salary schedule of the Mental Health Community Support Worker II (VQVB) classification with the Community Health Worker II (VKVB) classification.
4. Medical Plan Cost-Sharing - Section 19.7.F.6
Extend the dates for medical plan cost sharing for active employees in the Teamsters 856 Trust Fund KP Health Plan through the plan year January 1, 2027.
5. Incorporate the Side Letter approved in Resolution 2026-208.
6. Eliminate outdated MOU sections 5.1.C, 5.1.D, 54.3.A.2 through 54.3.A.7, and eliminate Attachment T from the MOU.
7. The Union agrees to withdraw Unfair Practice Charge SF-CE-2439-M.
8. Updates and corrections to references and renumbering.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
Members will continue working under an expired contract.
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 Side Letter and successor Memorandum of Understanding between Contra Costa County and the Teamsters, Local 856 for the period of August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2028.
The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors acting in its capacity as the governing board of the County of Contra Costa and the Board of Directors of the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District RESOLVES THAT:
The agreements for the Side Letter and Memorandum of Understanding between Contra Costa County and the Teamsters, Local 856, providing for wages, benefits and other terms and conditions of employment for the period beginning August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2028, be ADOPTED.
end