Whenever the district acquires existing facilities from a publicly or privately owned public utility, either in proceedings by eminent domain or otherwise, the district shall assume and observe all existing pension and labor contracts. To the extent necessary for operation of facilities, all of the employees of the acquired public utility whose duties pertain to the facilities acquired shall be appointed to comparable positions in the district without examination, subject to all the rights and benefits of this part, and these employees shall be given sick leave, seniority, vacation, and pension credits in accordance with the records and labor agreements of the acquired public utility. Members and beneficiaries of any pension or retirement system or other benefits established by that public utility shall continue to have the rights, privileges, benefits, obligations, and status with respect to that established system. No employee of any acquired public utility shall suffer any worsening of their wages, seniority, pension, vacation, or other benefits by reason of the acquisition.

The district may extend the benefits of this section to officers or supervisory employees of the acquired public utility.

(Added by Stats. 2021, Ch. 492, Sec. 21. (SB 598) Effective January 1, 2022.)