Opa-locka approves 3% pay increase for union employees; commission raises timing and pay-scale questions

The City of Opa-locka commission voted 5-0 Wednesday to approve a 3% wage increase for employees represented by ASME, with the raise not applied retroactively.

The increase was authorized as part of a reopening negotiation under the parties' collective bargaining arrangement; the commission vote followed discussion about the timing of the adjustment while a citywide pay plan is under development.

City staff described the agreement to the commission as a reopening negotiated between the city and ASME that allocated a 3% increase and a non-retroactive clause. “The city the city and ASMI enter into a collective collective bargaining agreement, which allocated for a reopener of negotiations in fiscal year 25 for the revision of job classifications and wage increase,” a city representative told the commission.

Vice Mayor James Kelly said he supported employees receiving a raise but warned the commission that approving a unilateral increase now risks requiring further adjustments once the citywide pay plan is finalized. “I am not against, anyone getting a pay raise, pay increase. So let me put that on table first,” Kelly said, adding that he would prefer the pay-scale revision be completed first. Kelly also noted the increase was not budgeted and would come from the general fund.

Mayor John H. Taylor Jr. called the roll after a motion to approve the agreement, which was moved by Dr. Bass and seconded by Commissioner Santiago. The clerk recorded the motion as passing 5-0.

Commissioners asked when the broader pay plan would be presented; city staff said the updated pay plan would be presented at the first meeting in June. A city official clarified how the new plan and the 3% increase would interact: some employees could require further increases if the new ranges place them below the minimum of their job grade, while others would remain within range.

Discussion points included whether non-union employees would receive comparable adjustments and whether authorizing the increase now could lead to additional budget amendments. Commissioners said they expect the administration to return with the full pay plan and a strategy for addressing classifications not covered by the ASME agreement.

The measure's passage directs staff to implement the 3% pay adjustment for ASME positions and absorb the cost in the general fund; the commission did not take additional formal action on non-union classifications at the meeting.

The city clerk recorded the vote as: Santiago — yes; Bass — yes; Irvin — yes; Vice Mayor Kelly — yes; Mayor Taylor — yes. The ordinance implementing the increase will take effect upon passage and staff said they will present the full pay plan in early June.