Windfall for DWP workers

Already some of the highest-paid city workers, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power employees will receive an unexpected raise of nearly 6 percent next month under a contract approved by the mayor and City Council in 2005.Kerry Cavanaugh in the Daily News.

The original 3.25 percent pay hike was boosted to 5.9 percent under an unusual agreement between city leaders and DWP workers that ties their annual raise to inflation. Since the cost of food and fuel has gone up so much in the past year, DWP workers on Oct. 1 will receive the largest pay raise of any city employee union.

The higher-than-expected salaries will cost the DWP about $16.4 million more than the utility had set aside in its budget.