Title
Adopt the updated Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Service Employees International Union (SEIU, or the Union) Local 521 (Unit R) to incorporate executed side letters of agreement into a consolidated Agreement.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors adopt the updated Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Service Employees International Union (SEIU, or the Union) Local 521 (Unit R) to incorporate executed side letters of agreement into a consolidated Agreement.
SUMMARY:
The County is presenting the attached MOU for Board of Supervisors review and adoption. The MOU consolidates previously Board approved changes established through executed side letter of agreement between the County and the Union. The changes are incorporated into a single updated agreement for ease of reference and clarity.
DISCUSSION:
The County and SEIU (collectively, the Parties), have an executed MOU governing the terms and conditions of employment between the County and employees in bargaining unit R for the period of January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2027 (Legistar File 25-235). Subsequently, it became necessary to modify a substantive number of provisions throughout the MOU to ensure ongoing compliance with updated Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) Residency Program Requirements, which establish the standards for training, supervision, and competency development for resident physicians across all accredited specialties; a side letter of agreement (Agreement) between the Parties to reflect the necessary revisions was executed May 29, 2026, and a standard employment agreement for resident physicians was approved by the Board on June 23, 2026 (Legistar File 26-584). The Parties further amended the MOU via an Agreement executed July 14, 2026, that renamed the holiday observed on March 31st of each calendar year to Farmworkers Appreciation Day.
Due to the extensive modifications to the MOU via the Agreements, the Parties mutually desired to consolidate these previously Board approved changes into a single, comprehensive MOU to provide a clear and current reference of the Parties’ existing agreements. This consolidated MOU, which does not represent new substantive changes to the previously Board approved terms, was executed by the Parties on July 14, 2026, and is now presented to the Board for formal adoption.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT/COMMITTEE ACTIONS:
The Human Resources Department conferred with Natividad, the Health Department, and County Counsel regarding this matter.
FINANCING:
As the MOU consolidates previously executed Agreements no new costs are associated with the adoption of the Agreement.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS:
Approval of these side letters promotes the boards Dynamic and Organization and Employer of Choice strategic plan goal by enforcing our commitment to our workforce’s future.
Mark a check to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Plan Goals
__ Well-Being and Quality of Life
__ Sustainable Infrastructure for the Present and Future
__ Safe and Resilient Communities
__ Diverse and Thriving Economy
__ Dynamic Organization and Employer of Choice
If does not fall under any of the above Board of Supervisors Strategic Plan Goals (Other):
ü Administrative: The approval of these side letters by the Board of Supervisors will
support the agreement of Monterey County and the Unions.
Link to the Strategic Plan:
<https://www.countyofmonterey.gov/home/showdocument?id=139569>
Prepared by: Amy Rodriguez, Senior Human Resources Analyst, x5373
Approved by: Andreas Pyper, Director of Human Resources, x5034
Attachments:
Attachment A - Service Employees International Union Local 521- Resident Physicians (Unit R) MOU
Attachment B - Service Employees International Union Local 521- Resident Physicians (Unit R) MOU Redline