Council approves tentative laborers local 860 agreement to raise pay, council members say recruitment will improve

The Cleveland Heights City Council on Aug. 4 approved on first reading a tentative agreement with Laborers International Union of North America Local 860 that council members said will raise hourly wages and help recruitment and retention. Mayor Saren described the agreement as “right siz[ing] a lot of things” and urged council to adopt it. “We are making some moves that make a lot of sense in terms of compensation for people doing hard jobs in our city,” the mayor said during his remarks. Council members voiced support at the meeting. Councilwoman Larson said the change will help the city compete with neighboring municipalities; Councilman Maddox and others recounted personal experience with the union and praised the group’s work. Councilman Kuda said negotiations were thorough and that the result will place city wages near peer cities. Vice President Russell stated she would recuse herself from voting because of a prior role; the record shows the ordinance was moved and seconded and later passed on the first reading with no recorded dissent at the public vote. The ordinance is identified in the agenda as Ordinance No. 151-2025 and was introduced by the mayor. Council members noted the action is one step in addressing broader compensation issues the council has discussed, including implementing recommendations from a city salary study for other employee groups.