A few minutes ago, more than 100 members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, which represents 3,800 city of Long Beach employees, took their seats in the Council Chambers of Long Beach City Hall. The union had a rally and march beforehand and are here to put pressure on the City Council to give them a good contract.
City officials have been negotiating pay concessions with five different unions that have contractual pay raises going into effect at the end of the month. Two weeks ago, the Long Beach Police Officers Association announced it had approved a deal that will give officers an 11 percent raise spread out over five years instead of the nearly 9.3 percent raise they were due Sept. 30. The deal, which the council will vote on today, will save the city $7.6 million this year and $15 million over the next five years.
However, the IAM is unhappy with the progress of its negotiations. Union officials say they have offered city management a deal that would save Long Beach $8.5 million, but that city officials say it isn't enough. So, the IAM will be protesting today what they say is a budget that will be balanced on the backs of city workers.
To eliminate the $38.3 million general fund deficit, city officials are banking on $18 million in savings through employee concessions in the form of forgone pay raises. If the city can't reach a deal with its unions, that may mean further layoffs or citywide furloughs.
Paul Eakins reports on Long Beach City Hall, and local and regional
politics. A newcomer to the Press-
Kris Hanson reports on the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles,
covering environmental issues, economic triumphs and
pitfalls and trade trends of America’s largest port.
He also writes a weekly column “On The Waterfront”,
appearing Tuesdays, and also produces an occassional video
and column titled “On The Job,” which follows the hard-working
men and women who keep Southern California’s economy humming.
Karen Robes Meeks came to work for the Press-
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