Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Rocio Kiryczun, Human Resources Director
Michelle Kuka, Deputy Director, Human Resources
Subject: Successor agreement to the Memorandum of Understanding with the Union of American Physicians and Dentists (UAPD)
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution approving the Tentative Agreement establishing the terms and conditions of a successor agreement to the Memorandum of Understanding with the Union of American Physicians and Dentists (UAPD), for the term of May 18, 2025 through May 20, 2028.
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BACKGROUND:
The County’s current Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with UAPD expired on May 17, 2025. The County and UAPD have met and conferred in good faith and have concluded negotiations for a new successor Memorandum of Understanding. Both parties have agreed to the terms as described in the Tentative Agreement. The UAPD membership has ratified the County’s offer set forth in the Tentative Agreement.
DISCUSSION:
This agreement covers all of the staff in classifications represented by UAPD. The following is a high-level summary of the major changes but is not a substitute for the attached agreement and the detailed terms contained therein.
Term
May 18, 2025 through May 20, 2028, three years.
Salary Adjustment
Classifications in this bargaining unit will receive Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA) increases as follows: 5% effective May 25, 2025, 5% effective May 24, 2026, and 4% effective May 23, 2027. The May 2027 COLA shall be increased by an additional 1%, for a total COLA adjustment of 5%, if legislation is signed to ensure that San Mateo County receives its full Vehicle License Fee Adjustment Amount under the Revenue and Taxation Code.
Medical Plan changes
The County will increase the County’s contribution towards the Medical Plan premiums for the Aetna HMO plans by 5%, so the County’s contribution will now be 90% and the employee’s contribution will now be 10%. Additionally, from the first pay period in May 2026 through the first full pay period in May 2027, the County will contribute $59 per month as a “Premium Only” contribution to each benefit-eligible employee’s Section 125 account to be used for premium expenses.
Other economic changes
Employees represented by UAPD will begin to receive two Wellness Days each fiscal year that they can use as floating holidays.
Employees in this bargaining unit will also receive one additional paid holiday, Cesar Chavez Day, beginning in 2026. They will also receive three days of Winter Recess in December 2025, December 2026 and December 2027.
The bilingual pay for employees in this bargaining unit will increase from $70 per pay period to $90 per pay period.
The County Attorney has reviewed and approved the resolution as to form.
Financial Impact on County’s Retirement System
Government Code Section 31515.5 requires the County to provide the estimated financial impact that proposed benefit changes or salary increases would have on the funding status of SamCERA ‘s retirement fund, the County’s retirement system. As reflected in the attached letter from SamCERA’s actuary, Milliman, the proposed salary and benefit increases for the UAPD employees is estimated to be an increase in the Unfunded Actuarial Accrued Liability (UAAL) of $2,936,000. There is expected to be an increase in the annual employer contribution rate of 0.06% of General member payroll (0.05% of total payroll) and no change in the PEPRA General member contribution rate of 0.00% of payroll. Note that this is the impact on SamCERA funding only, so it does not reflect the cost to the County of implementing the MOU. The funded ratio, rounded to the nearest 0.01%, is estimated to decrease by 0.03% as a result of these wage increases and other changes.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The cost of the salary and other changes will result in a net increase of approximately $3,120,000 for the first year of the new Memorandum of Understanding.