IBEW Threatens Strike as IID Board Approves $4.3M in Water Grants

Nine members of IBEW Local 465 used public comment to accuse the Imperial Irrigation District of bad-faith bargaining. They announced an unfair labor practice charge and raised the possibility of a strike. The board did not engage. It then approved labor-related consent items, $4.3M in local water grants, bond refinancing authority and revised time-of-use electric rates, all by voice vote.

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• IBEW Local 465 files unfair labor practice charge and warns of a possible strike over stalled talks
• $4.3M in FLOW water grants awarded to 13 of 25 public-agency projects
• Winter on-peak hours cut from eight to four, and a new voluntary farm time-of-use rate adopted
• 2026B refunding bonds pre-authorized despite narrowing savings and a 6.5% ceiling dispute
• Director flags 102% mitigation fee jump affecting Coachella Valley substation work

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Union Brings Contract Fight to the Dais

Why it matters: IBEW Local 465 speakers said they represent roughly 900 workers. A labor dispute at the district could affect both utility and water operations. Union leaders told directors that talks have reached a breaking point.

Where things stand: Every speaker during general public comment was an IBEW Local 465 officer or member. Several sit on the union's negotiating committee. Nate Fairman of IBEW Local 465 opened with the escalation.

"So now we've taken the unprecedented step in filing an unfair labor practice charge against the IID for bad faith bargaining," said Fairman.

Fairman warned of "a work stoppage, a ULP strike if the IID continues its bad faith bargaining." A ULP strike is a walkout over alleged unfair labor practices rather than over contract terms.

Speakers described a stalled process:

• The district's team meets only two hours every two weeks.
• The district has rejected union proposals on shop steward support, advance notice of discipline and other non-economic items.
• The district reversed an agreement to release Denise Sanchez to serve as the union's note-taker.
• The district forced through an "exploding" health care offer.

The workers' case: Lineman and negotiator Austin Benefield said linemen are among the lowest paid in California and that retention is a problem. Line clearance trimmer Willie Paz cited SB 247 and said IID "brought in-house the line clearance crews and cut their pay from $44.05." Zanjero Alex Hernandez said the district claimed there was no money for raises while it continued spending on projects.

Kiko Diaz, senior assistant business manager, IBEW Local 465, raised concerns about favoritism in promotions.

"We are asking for promotions to be in progression, classifications to be given to the most senior person in that classification," said Diaz.

The ask: Joey St. Pierre, business rep, IBEW Local 465, urged directors to do three things: ask questions in closed session, review both sides' proposals and intervene. He warned that otherwise there would be no agreement by year-end. Heavy equipment operator Clemente Solórzano asked for longer bargaining sessions. Veteran and mechanic Jesus Buenrostro said the union's steward and communication proposals had been ignored.

"Board members, when you were elected, you became more than just a public advocate. You became our employer," said Denise Torres, assistant business manager, IBEW Local 465.

The other side: The district's bargaining position was not presented. Beyond a brief acknowledgment from the chair, the board did not respond.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Less than 10 minutes later, the board approved consent items 1-3 on a single voice vote without discussion. Those items included health plan side letter agreements with IBEW Local 465 and the Executive Management Association, plus a Professional Salaried Association memorandum of understanding. The approval came the same day union speakers said the district had forced through a health care offer. Line crews, zanjeros and mechanics have the most at stake. Utility customers would feel any work stoppage.

What's next: The unfair labor practice charge is pending. The union asked for full-day bargaining sessions and written responses to its proposals.

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FLOW Grants: $41M in Requests, $4.3M Awarded

The basics: The board created Funding Local Opportunities for Water (FLOW) in March to mark the district's 125th year. The program has up to $7.5M available, requires a 50% local match and caps awards at $500,000 per project.

Where things stand: Demand far exceeded supply.

"25 project proposals were received, all very worthy projects," said Justina Gamboa-Arce, the staff presenter.

Those proposals sought $41M. Staff recommended 13 projects totaling $4.3M. The projects cover potable and raw water pipelines, recreation water, stormwater and water measurement. Staff said every municipality that applied received some funding, except for applicants with larger projects.

"Going from 25 projects down to 13, $41 million down to $4.3 million, it's not an easy task picking winners and losers," said Director Alex Cardenas, Division 1, who pressed staff on when the remaining money returns.

General Manager Jamie L. Asbury said the money comes from conservation dollars. The roughly $3.2M balance is set aside for larger projects and is expected to come back for board action in 2027.

The other side: A director noted that Westmoreland did not apply. Staff said outreach had been broad. They added that remaining funds will go to applicants that met the deadlines.

"I'm very proud of this board and management and you for taking the initiative and making sure that we're being good stewards to our community," said Board Chair Karin Eugenio.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: The awards passed by voice vote. Individual tallies were not recorded. Cities and public agencies with shelved water projects now have the matching funds they lacked. The City of Imperial and Calipatria were among the communities discussed. Applicants with larger projects must wait for the second round.

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Simpler Winter Peaks, New Option for Farms

Why it matters: More than 6,000 customers are enrolled in time-of-use rates, which the board adopted Jan. 21, 2025. Under time-of-use pricing, electricity costs more during peak hours. The changes simplify winter pricing and give growers a way to cut energy costs.

Where things stand: Resolution 24-2026 eliminates the 5-9 a.m. winter on-peak window. That leaves only the 5-9 p.m. window. Staff called the change rate neutral. An illustrative winter residential bill moves from $173.19 to $173.26.

The new Agricultural General Service rate is voluntary. It offers off-peak reductions of about 32% in summer and 15% in winter. In one staff example, a farm bill fell from about $5,800 to $4,758.

"When the rates were adopted, we did it with no empirical evidence," said General Manager Asbury. She said the revision reduces customer confusion.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Director Cardenas moved the staff recommendation, and it passed by voice vote. No concerns were raised at public rate hearings on Sept. 22 and Sept. 29. Growers who can shift load to off-peak hours stand to benefit most.

What's next: Customers will receive reminder refrigerator magnets. Staff will brief the agricultural community through the Farm Water Roundtable.

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Bond Refinancing Gets a Green Light and a Ceiling Fight

Where things stand: Staff first brought the 2026B Electric System Refunding Revenue Bonds to the board Sept. 15. A refunding replaces existing debt with new, cheaper debt.

"We were estimating about a $10 million savings, a net present value savings, as well as an annual cash flow savings about $243,000," said Belen Valenzuela, the staff presenter.

Volatile markets have since eroded those savings, though some returned in the past week. Resolution 23-26 lets staff move quickly when rates fall. It authorizes the bond issuance and related documents, including the preliminary official statement, escrow agreements and bond purchase contract.

The other side: Director Gina Dockstader, Division 3, objected to language on page 77 of the packet. That language sets a maximum true interest cost of 6.5%.

"Well, exactly, because when I read that… this is terrible," said Dockstader.

General Manager Asbury and staff called the 6.5% figure a ceiling, not a target. Staff said they are looking at 3% to 4% and would not proceed otherwise. The prior all-in cost was 3.98%.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: The resolution passed by voice vote. Ratepayers benefit only if staff actually lock in rates below the existing debt cost.

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Director Warns of Doubling Mitigation Fee

Where things stand: During board reports, Director Cardenas flagged a Coachella Valley development mitigation fee. The fee is rising from about $8,000 to $16,000 per acre across about 26 acres, affecting the Cook substation and related feeder projects.

"That's a hundred and two percent increase that we're looking at," said Cardenas. He asked staff to prepare a memo before the Nov. 12 CVCC meeting.

Cardenas also relayed farmer complaints at CVPA about how quickly IID responds after vandalism. General Manager Asbury said IID cannot energize unsafe facilities.

"After vandalism, IID is not the authority having jurisdiction that dictates what the specification of upgraded facilities are. That belongs to the county," said Asbury.

Asbury added that IID has requested single-line drawings for a memorandum of understanding. Directors also debated the district's membership in the CVPA joint powers authority. Other reports covered:

• An APPA customer satisfaction award bid
• Permitting reform
• $3.6 billion in LIHEAP funds
• Substation 42's expansion

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• Service awards: IID honored 17 employees for a combined 325 years of service, ranging from 10 to 30 years each.
• Consent items: The PSA memorandum, health plan side letters and non-contract salary changes passed on one voice vote.
• Policy monitoring delayed: Reviews of BL-15 (environmental compliance), SD-2 (customer outreach) and SD-10 (environmental stewardship) moved to November because presenters were out.

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Looking ahead: The delayed policy monitoring reviews return in November. Director Cardenas' mitigation fee memo is due before the Nov. 12 CVCC meeting. The remaining FLOW balance is expected back before the board in 2027.