After meeting on at least 18 different occasions for conferences and meetings throughout the past year, the City of Long Beach and the International Association of Machinists have reached an agreement, the city announced today.
The tentative agreement would last through September 30, 2019 and was approved by the union on September 19, according to a release issued today.
“This agreement provides a fair labor contract that ensures continued reliable services to Long Beach residents, while at the same time providing modest financial support to our hardworking librarians, parks workers, and the men and women who provide public safety support services,” said Mayor Robert Garcia in a statement. “In addition, this contract reduces our annual healthcare costs, and begins to implement reforms to skill pays.”
The contract, which has a total estimated annual net fiscal impact of $3.8 million in the General Fund but no impact on the FY 2017 budget (due to health care savings), will go before the city council for final approval on October 4, according to the release.
Highlights of the agreement include:
There are no new cost of living or special salary adjustments during October 1, 2015 through September 30, 2016.
- A two percent wage increase each year through 2019 for a total of six percent over four years when including the open 2015 contract.
- Healthcare reform provisions that stabilize health benefit costs and provide long-term savings for the City.
- Reopener to meet and confer over changes to overtime policies.
- Elimination of the Floor Warden special skill pay saving over $220,000 all funds annually.
- Creation of a Labor Management Committee to develop a pathway for temporary workers to obtain permanent employment.
IAM-represented City Employees provide Long Beach residents with core city services from nearly every department, including public safety support, library, water and gas utilities, public health, parks, public works and more.