PRESS RELEASE

Long Beach, CA – The Long Beach City Council has approved three-year labor agreements between the City of Long Beach and the Long Beach Association of Confidential Employees (ACE), the Long Beach City Prosecutor’s Association (CPA) and the Long Beach Management Association (LBMA). Each agreement was presented to the City Council for consideration and public discussion on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023, all of which were approved with a 7 to 0 vote.

“We’re glad to have reached these labor agreements with the Long Beach Association of Confidential Employees, Long Beach City Prosecutor’s Association and Long Beach Management Association,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “This was a thoughtful, collaborative effort amongst all parties and I want to thank the union leaders.”

The City worked collaboratively with ACE, CPA and LBMA on labor agreements to support competitive compensation for the represented City employees. The City and unions worked collaboratively on approaches to identify 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, as applicable. The agreements for the contracts include revisions to employee benefits including bereavement leave, paid parental leave, extension of vacation accrual maximum cap, sick leave, and in lieu holiday. Specific provisions for each agreement with the associations and provisions for the unrepresented management are listed below.

“While fiscally responsible, these labor agreements foster equitable growth, competitive pay and strengthen other benefits for a variety of City positions,” said City Manager Tom Modica. “We’re grateful for the unions’ partnerships in reaching these agreements.”

The ACE agreement includes the following major terms:

• Three-year contract term from Oct. 1, 2023, to Sept. 30, 2026.
• General wage increases for ACE classifications: 
  • 1.25% in FY 24
  • 1.21% in FY 25
  • 1.20% in FY 26
• Equity adjustments for ACE classifications effective in FY24:
  • 3% for one classification.
  • 5% for six classifications.
  • 8% for eleven classifications.
  • 13% for one classification.
• Increase to the City’s contribution to ACE employees’ deferred compensation. 
• One-time lump sum bonus for permanent Full-Time and Non-Career ACE employees.
• Eligibility for Professional Certificate Incentive Compensation Program for qualifying ACE employees.
• Revision to skill pays and special pays including Bilingual Pay, Higher Classification Pay and Standby Duty Pay.
• Revision to language in holiday and personal holiday sections.
• One-time funding support for the Education Assistance Program. 

Prior to reaching this agreement, City and ACE representatives held six meetings since August 2023. Members of ACE voted to ratify the agreement on Nov. 30, 2023. ACE represents approximately 76 employees that support central operations in Financial Management, Human Resources and the Civil Service Departments.

The CPA agreement includes the following major terms:

• Three-year contract term from Oct. 1, 2023, to Sept. 30, 2026.
• Revision of salary steps and step placement and progression for Deputy City Prosecutors I-IV.
• General wage increases for non-Deputy City Prosecutors and Supervisor- Deputy City Prosecutors: 6% for the first year and 1% for the second and third years of the contract.
• General wage increase for Deputy City Prosecutors I-IV: 0.45% in the second year and third years of the contract.
• Equity adjustment of 4% for Supervisor-Deputy City Prosecutors effective Dec. 2, 2023.
• One-time non-pensionable bonus to all bargaining unit members.
• One-time non-pensionable bonus for Deputy City Prosecutors I-IV and Supervisor-Deputy City Prosecutors.
• Increase to the City’s contribution to CPA members’ deferred compensation.
• New provisions include eligibility for Bilingual skill pay.
• Revision to language in holiday and personal holiday sections. 

Prior to reaching this agreement, City and CPA representatives held five meetings since July 2023. Members of CPA voted to ratify the agreement on Dec. 1, 2023. The CPA represents approximately 15 employees.

The LBMA agreement includes the following major terms:

• General wage increases for LBMA employees (sworn and non-sworn groups):
  • 3% in the first year of the contract.
  • 1% in the second and third years of the contract.
• Creation of salary groupings and appointment for all represented classifications.
• Equity adjustments for 29 classifications to meet the minimum salary range established.
• Increase to the City’s contribution to deferred compensation for PEPRA employees.
• Increased transportation allowance for qualifying LBMA employees.
• Revision of Acting Pay Provision.
• Revision of Management Performance Appraisal Compensation Program (MPA) revision with standardized compensation including annual salary increases.
• One-time non-pensionable bonus to eligible employees.
• Retention pay one-time bonus to eligible employees based on years of service.
• Creation of new Vacation Accrual for Prior Service provision.
• Establishment of Supervisory Differential for LBMA Sworn Management positions compared to direct reports.
• Modifications to Sworn Provisions including specialty and skill pays.

Unrepresented Management (Non-Sworn) Employees

• The City Council Resolution extends the LBMA MOU terms to eligible unrepresented management (non-sworn) employees.

Prior to reaching this agreement, City and LBMA representatives held nine meetings since June 2023. Members of LBMA voted to ratify the agreement on Nov. 28, 2023. The LBMA represents approximately 379 employees that support and oversee operations citywide.

“The LBMA worked to negotiate a fair and comprehensive package that will not only retain our talented staff but, also attract talent to come work for the City of Long Beach” said President Eric Winterset.

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.