Tentative agreements reached with 3 labor unions

Tariq Malik

HUNTINGTON BEACH -- City officials have reached tentative labor

agreements with three public safety organizations, while salary

discussions continue with the Huntington Beach Police Officers

Assn.Preliminary agreements have been reached with the city’s marine

safety officers, firefighters and police management organizations, with

final decisions still pending.

City spokesman Rich Barnard said city officials are pleased with

salary talks with the Huntington Beach Police Management Assn., which

governs 44 officers in positions at the sergeant, lieutenant and captain

levels. Salary negotiations with marine safety officers, which governs

city lifeguards and beach safety personnel, and the firefighters union

have been equally pleasant, he said.

The city’s labor contract with the firefighters and marine safety

officers unions expired Sept. 30. The tentative three-year agreement with

firefighters includes salary increase of 11.07% the first year, with 2%

and 5% hikes the following years, city officials said.

The proposed agreement with marine safety officers includes a 10.53%

raise the first year, with 3% and 5% raises the next two years.

Fire officials said they have only to sign the contract to complete

the process.

The city’s police management contracts will expire Dec. 31, and a new

labor agreement would start Jan. 1 if given final approval from union

members. The salary proposal includes first-year raises of 15%, 11.61%

and 10.49% for sergeants, lieutenants and captains, respectively, with 3%

and 5% increases over the first two years. Captains would receive a 3.5%

raise the second year and a 6% jump in the third.

Capt. Bill Mamelli, president of the city’s police management union,

said he expects the offer to be ratified by the organization’s

management.

Barnard said city officials want to meet in mediation with the police

officers union to discuss its latest proposal, a three-year contract with

a 10.47% raise the first year, and 3% and 5% increases the following two.

Officials with the police officers union did not return phone calls

Tuesday, but the group has been seeking a 13.25% wage increase, followed

by a 3.5% raise the second year.