TITLE
Recommendation to adopt resolution approving 2023-2026 Memorandum of Understanding with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
In accordance with direction from the City Council, a 2023-2026 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreement has been reached with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), which now represents both the Skilled and General Supervisory Unit and the Skilled and General Basic Unit, which was previously represented by the Association of Long Beach Employees (ALBE). In May of 2023, the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) approved the merger of ALBE to the IBEW bargaining unit. The IBEW now represents approximately 660 employees in both units with a consolidated MOU.
City leadership and IBEW representatives held three negotiations sessions since May 2023 regarding a new MOU. The current MOU expires on September 30, 2023. A tentative agreement has been reached and jointly signed by representatives of the City and IBEW.
General MOU Terms
The City and IBEW worked collaboratively on a tentative agreement to ensure fair and competitive compensation for our employees. For this MOU negotiation, the City and IBEW engaged the labor negotiation process with a different approach compared to previous negotiations. Both sides worked collaboratively on an approach to identify certain positions that were compensated below the market compared to other similar public agencies and apply an equity increase to help bring those positions closer to the market rate. To achieve this, the City utilized comprehensive compensation data to gain a clear understanding of the local job market and industry standards and worked with IBEW to identify the positions that would be appropriate to receive the equity adjustment. In working with IBEW, the goal was to foster a collaborative atmosphere that concentrated on an equity - driven approach that aimed to elevate as many job classifications as possib...
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