562.570.6140
Joe.Ambrosini@longbeach.gov
Director
Human Resources Department
Long Beach, CA – The City of Long Beach has reached a tentative three-year labor agreement with the Service Employees International Union, Local 721 (SEIU), which represents 127 Refuse Operators who provide trash collection services to City of Long Beach Refuse customers.
“This agreement recognizes the dignity of our hardworking Refuse Operators, who play a vital role in keeping our city clean and safe,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “I’m proud that we have landed on an agreement that demonstrates our commitment to equity, fair compensation, and improved benefits.”
The tentative agreement between SEIU and the City includes an equity increase in the first year for Refuse Operators I-IV and Refuse Operators I-II Non-Careers, salary range modification to ensure 5 percent between steps, and general wage increases for the outlying years. It also includes a one-time lump sum payment for all Refuse Operators to support the retention of current employees. The tentative agreement for SEIU also contains key benefit enhancements which apply to all SEIU employees.
“The City recognizes the valuable contributions of its Refuse Operators and is committed to providing them with fair compensation and benefits,” said City Manager Tom Modica. “With equitable pay increases and enhancements for other employee benefits, this agreement will help with the retention of new refuse employees and help address long standing feedback from longer-term, seasoned employees.”
“This landmark contract between SEIU 721 members and the City of Long Beach is a testament to the grit and dedication of our members,” said Jenita Igwealor, Service Employees International Union Regional Director, Cities Division. “In the same way that they show up day-in and day-out to provide the vital frontline services Long Beach residents depend on, so did they work tirelessly to secure a strong contract that uplifts their work, their families, and the communities they serve.”
The tentative agreement also includes the following major terms:
- Three-year contract term from Oct. 1, 2023, to Sept. 30, 2026.
- Equity increase of 15% to step 1 of Refuse Operator I – IV and Refuse Operator I – II Non-Career and salary ranges modified to ensure 5% differential between each salary step.
- General wage increases:
- 1% in second year of contract
- 1.25% in third year of contract
- One-time lump sum payment for SEIU employees:
- $1,000 for SEIU employees hired on or after June 5, 2023, and who are subject to the City’s Recruitment Incentive Program
- $4,315 for SEIU employees not referenced above
- Revised skill and other pays including:
- Higher Classification Pay increased from $1.60 to $2 hourly
- Front Loader Pay increased from $1.50 to $2.50 hourly
- Trainer per diem pay increased from $8 to $20 hourly
- Work boot allowance increased from $250 to $350 annually
- Revisions to employee benefits including bereavement leave, paid parental leave, extension of vacation accrual maximum cap, sick leave, in lieu holiday, seniority of overtime scheduling and training and funding support for the Education Assistance Program.
Prior to reaching this agreement, the City and SEIU representatives held 11 meetings since August 2023. Members of the SEIU voted to ratify the agreement on Jan. 26, 2024. The agreement will be presented to the Long Beach City Council for consideration and public discussion on Feb. 6, 2024.
About the City of Long Beach
Long Beach is nestled along the Southern California coast and home to approximately 466,000people. As an award-winning full-service charter city, Long Beach offers the amenities of a metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods, culture and community. With a bustling downtown and over six miles of scenic beaches, Long Beach is a renowned tourist and business destination and home to the iconic Queen Mary, nationally recognized Aquarium of the Pacific and Long Beach Airport, award-winning Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center and world-class Port of Long Beach.
For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit longbeach.gov/. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news: Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube.