IBEW Workers Decry Stalled Talks as IID Approves Executive Raises

Frontline union workers filled the first half hour of the Imperial Irrigation District board meeting on Nov. 3, 2026, warning that contract talks for roughly 900 IBEW Local 465 members have stalled. Minutes later, directors approved three-year raises for executives by voice vote without questions. They then cleared about $21M for a hydro overhaul and sole-source power plant equipment, setting up a Nov. 17 budget vote that will test those priorities.

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• IBEW Local 465 members say bargaining has stalled over CPI-based raises, short sessions and a rejected veterans proposal
• Executive pay deals approved: 5% first-year raises, about $1.6M combined over three years
• Roughly $21M Pilot Knob Unit 1 refurbishment approved with a sole-source award to Andritz
• Sole-source engines and transformers approved for Unit 4 and Yucca repowering projects
• $1.7B 2027 budget previewed, with adoption set for Nov. 17 and water revenue about $91M short
• Terminated apprentice lineman appeals to the board, and directors take the case into closed session

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Union Floods Comment as Talks Stall

Why it matters: Contract talks for roughly 900 IBEW members remain unsettled. On the same day, the board approved large capital projects and executive pay deals, a contrast several speakers named directly.

Where things stand: Directors opened the meeting by extending public comment from 20 to 30 minutes. They also pulled two executive pay items off the consent calendar so each would get its own vote. IBEW members then dominated the comment period with a coordinated message: talks are going nowhere.

Clemente Solórzano, an IID heavy equipment auditor, said the union has filed an unfair labor practice charge. He said bargaining sessions are short, and roughly 20 union proposals have produced no tentative agreements. He also criticized the general manager's pay and said IID's equipment operators earn less than their counterparts at other utilities.

Joey St. Pierre, IBEW Local 465 business rep, opposed raises tied to the consumer price index, a measure of inflation. He asked instead for a guaranteed percentage increase across several years. Speakers cited the union's initial proposal of 6.66%. Other commenters raised the following concerns:

• Willie Paz, a line clearance tree trimmer, said crews brought in-house are now the lowest paid in California.
• Emmanuel Frankel, a Cal Energy generation mechanic, said CPI-linked wages sound like a pay freeze.
• Erwin Sanchez, a Cal Energy machinist, asked why a $1.7B budget cannot fund an industry-standard 5% raise.
• Jesus Buenrostro, a combat veteran, and Nate Fairman said IID rejected expanding veterans preference points to current employees.
• Alejandro Hernandez said the Oct. 27 session produced little movement and asked for full negotiating days.
• Denise Sanchez, a union leader, asked the board to approve her work releases so she can attend negotiations.
• Kiko Diaz raised concerns about promotions.
• Austin Benefield, a journeyman lineman, warned that linemen could leave for other utilities.

The other side: The district's position was not presented in open session, and directors did not respond to the specific complaints. During the later budget discussion, Director Alex Cardenas, Division 1, spoke directly to IBEW workers: "We can't do this without you."

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Shortly after public comment, staff presented a tentative three-year deal with executives. "We have reached a tentative agreement with our Executive Management Association," said Marcia Rivera of the human resources staff.

The executive agreement runs through Dec. 31, 2029. Its terms include:

• A 5% raise in year one.
• Raises tied to CPI in years two and three, with a 2.5% floor and a 5% ceiling.
• A 401 increase and the previously presented health benefit side letter.
• A cost of about $1M.

Unrepresented executives received the same raise structure and a 1% 401 increase, estimated at $600,000 over three years. Both items passed by voice vote with no tally recorded and no board questions.

The comparison is now on the record. Executives also have raises tied to CPI, but with a guaranteed minimum and a 5% first year. That is the kind of certainty IBEW speakers said they are being denied.

What's next: No bargaining dates were announced. The Nov. 17 budget vote is the next public moment where wage priorities and spending priorities will meet.

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$21M Hydro Fix, Sole-Source Plant Buys

Why it matters: IID is committing tens of millions to keep its generation fleet running. It is skipping competitive bidding to secure equipment as demand for engines and transformers tightens, including demand from data centers.

Where things stand: Pilot Knob Unit 1 is a 17-megawatt hydro unit that entered service in 1957. It went offline in 2023 after its wicket gates, which control water flow into the turbine, became stuck.

"Pilot Knob Unit 1 has been in service for going on 70 years," said Kraig Strauch, Manager of Generation.

Crews have already dewatered the unit and repaired its crane. The approved work, Major Work Authorization 2.00421, covers the following:

• The turbine, including new wicket gates and bushings.
• Generator testing.
• A separate controls project.

The board approved a sole-source award to Andritz and a CEQA notice of exemption. CEQA is California's environmental review law. Staff acknowledged the risk of awarding work without bids and said an outside contractor would help ensure a fair price. A director asked about reduced Colorado River deliveries. Staff said output has fallen to about 15,000 to 18,000 megawatt-hours, down from a normal 20,000 to 30,000. Unit 2 will come before the board later.

Unit 4 and Yucca: The Unit 4 repowering project received its major work authorization in 2025. The board approved a sole-source purchase of six Wärtsilä engines and two generator step-up transformers from Lumiere Hitachi at close to $8M, with a 24-month lead time. For the Yucca project, directors approved five engines and three transformers. Staff cited discounts and noted Yucca has no prior approved major work authorization.

A director asked how IID could avoid being bumped from the production queue by other buyers. "Everybody's data centers are on the front of the line," Strauch said. He explained that deposits and milestone payments, funded from capital funds, hold IID's place.

The other side: Matt Desert, a former director and air pollution control officer, backed sole sourcing. He urged staff to secure air permits and emission reduction credits and cautioned that air-quality legislation could affect the projects.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: All three items passed by voice vote with no tally recorded. Ratepayers fund the capital outlay. Union speakers had cited these same projects, along with $24M in vehicles, as evidence that money exists for wages.

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$1.7B Budget Heads to Nov. 17 Vote

Why it matters: The power side of the budget is growing through capital projects, while water revenue is not covering water costs.

Where things stand: Staff outlined a $1.7B budget for 2027 and $1.6B for 2028. The 2027 figure is about 5% above the adjusted budget, and 2028 drops about 7%. Water revenue falls short of operating costs by about $91M in 2027 and $84M in 2028. Conservation funds and reserves cover the gap. Spending is driven by repowering and substation projects, much of it customer-funded through a joint powers authority (JPA). The budget funds 1,493 positions, including 14 added in 2027. Directors also noted costs from state-mandated electric vehicle purchases.

Board Chair Karin Eugenio recommended increasing the on-farm conservation payment placeholder by $30M to maintain current rates. Staff said they would include it in the revised budget. She also encouraged residents to review the capital list: "This is more for the general public, to really look at Section E, look at all those projects that are there."

Cardenas asked about the East Highline reservoir. Staff said the project is out for bid, with bids closing Dec. 9.

What's next: No vote was taken. Adoption is planned for Nov. 17.

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Report Cards: Electric Finances Up, Water Lags

Directors voted on four policy monitoring reports. They found the district in substantial compliance on three and partial compliance on competitive rates. All four votes were voice votes.

• Environmental compliance (BL-15): Staff reported 33 environmental determinations, 105 local project reviews and 64 encroachment permits.
• Customer service (SD-2): IID handles about 860,000 inbound calls a year, and longer wait times were acknowledged. Enrollment in the Shift and Save program is up 450%, nearing about 6,000 customers.
• Competitive rates (SD-4): Electric finances have recovered, with cash on hand rising from 112 days in 2023 to 237. "We've got it up to 237 days as of September 30th," said Belen Valenzuela of the finance staff. The average bill is about $368. Compliance is only partial because the water cost-of-service study is unfinished.
• Environmental stewardship (SD-10): Staff cited illegal dumping cleanup costs and a six-month delay in eliminating El Centro wastewater. They also reported a 10-year, 86-megawatt geothermal agreement starting Jan. 1, 2027, and continued QSA mitigation spending.

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Fired Apprentice Lineman Seeks Board Reprieve

An arbitrator found just cause to fire apprentice lineman Stephen Daniel Medina. Under Policy 4350, the board must review that decision. Counsel advising the board explained that directors should "accept the decision unless there is a reasonable cause to reject it in whole or in part."

The IBEW did not dispute the hearing itself. Instead, it argued that apprenticeship procedures were not properly followed. The union asked the board to place Medina in a comparable position while his appeal to the state Division of Apprenticeship Standards proceeds. Medina also described concerns about harassment and accidents. The board went into closed session, and no decision was announced.

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• Consent calendar: The board approved JPMorgan Chase vehicle and equipment financing, the sale of the J27 Building in Brawley and final environmental impact report findings for the Cedar 2 and Imperial Sun solar projects.
• Base rate reallocation: Resolution 29-2026 cuts the purchase power and fuel component from 12.16 to 10.06 cents per kWh, effective Jan. 1. Valenzuela called it "a rate-neutral adjustment."
• PURPA update: A draft update to IID's 1980-era federal utility standards was released for a 21-day public comment period.
• Storm repairs: Water staff reported 17 of 23 north end and 25 of 37 south end sites repaired. Labor and equipment costs are near $700,000, with material invoices pending.
• Public comment on governance: Desert urged that Vice Chair JB Hamby eventually succeed General Manager Jamie Asbury. A separate commenter alleged that three directors took part in or tolerated online harassment and demanded an investigation. The allegations were unaddressed and unsubstantiated.

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Looking ahead: The board adopts the budget Nov. 17. Final action on the PURPA update follows the comment period, and the Support Departments report moves to the next meeting. Power staff say IID remains on track to join two California ISO-operated energy markets in October 2028. However, a pending Department of Energy grant of about $18.3M will not reimburse any grid modernization spending made before the contract is signed.