TITLE
Recommendation to adopt Memorandum of Understanding with the Long Beach Firefighters Association; and
Adopt resolution allowing these compensation matters to be implemented on the effective dates set forth in the Memorandum of Understanding. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
Since October of 2007, City management representatives and representatives of the Long Beach Firefighters Association (LBFFA) have had numerous meet and confer sessions regarding changes in wages, hours and working conditions. Meetings have been concluded and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been jointly executed with the LBFFA. City Council approval is now necessary to adopt the MOU that covers wages, benefits and other terms and conditions of employment from January 1, 2008 through September 30, 2013. In order to implement all the compensation matters as provided in the MOU it is necessary for the City Council to adopt the attached Resolution prepared by the City Attorney. The Salary Resolution and any other documents as may be necessary to conform to the MOU provisions will be transmitted for approval at a later date.
As a result of an intensive data gathering effort conducted in conjunction with negotiations, it was determined that Long Beach Firefighters are the lowest compensated among comparable agencies in the region, despite the fact that Long Beach has some of the highest emergency call volumes and most highly trained Firefighters. All firefighter classifications surveyed ranked 11th out of 11 agencies (see Appendix B in the LBFFA attached MOU). The proposed long-term agreement attempts to address compensation challenges over a five-and-a-half year period, with the goal of maintaining and attracting a well-qualified work force to deliver critical emergency services. The proposed agreement provides varying adjustments by rank with the goal of bringing members of the LBFFA to the middle of a comparable group of agencies by October 2011. In addition, the agreement provides incent...
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