State Workers in Calif. Get 4.5 Percent Raises

Union support gets its payoff

Rebounding state revenue bolstered by temporary tax increases recently approved by voters are paying off for California's largest public employees' union.

The state Senate this week, following earlier approval in the Assembly, ratified a three-year agreement that gives the 95,000 members of Service Employees International Union Local 1000 4.5 percent pay raises by July 1, 2015. The agreement was negotiated between the union and Gov. Jerry Brown's administration.

The union supported Brown's successful drive last fall for a ballot initiative temporarily raising the statewide sales tax and income taxes on those making more than $250,000 a year. The tax increases are expected to generate about $6 billion more per year.