In a unanimous decision, the Long Beach City Council solidified three-year labor agreements with multiple city employee associations, ensuring competitive compensation and improved benefits for workers. The agreements, with the Long Beach Association of Confidential Employees (ACE), City Prosecutor's Association (CPA), and Management Association (LBMA), were approved on Tuesday, Mayor Rex Richardson expressed satisfaction, saying, "This was a thoughtful, collaborative effort amongst all parties and I want to thank the union leaders."
The negotiations saw ACE receive general wage increases and equity adjustments for select classifications, the CPA secure significant pay bumps for deputy city prosecutors, and the LBMA hammer out wage increases along with revised benefits. Specific perks included bereavement leave, parental leave, and bonuses. City Manager Tom Modica hailed the deals as equitable and added, "We're grateful for the unions' partnerships in reaching these agreements."
Each union outlined its respective contract details. ACE's pact, which runs from October 1, 2023, to September 30, 2026, includes modest annual raises and equity adjustments ranging from 3% to 13% for specific job classifications. The CPA agreement, which represents about 15 employees, also set from October 1, 2023, to September 30, 2026, features a bonus and a 4% equity adjustment for supervisors among other gains, according to official statements.
Meanwhile, the LBMA's deal benefits both sworn and non-sworn groups with a 3% wage increase in the first year followed by 1% in the subsequent two years, alongside adjustments to salary ranges for 29 classifications. LBMA President Eric Winterset told the press, "The LBMA worked to negotiate a fair and comprehensive package that will not only retain our talented staff but, also attract talent to come work for the City of Long Beach." The City Council has also chosen to extend LBMA agreement terms to eligible unrepresented management (non-sworn) employees.
