Hawaiian Gardens receives AB 2561 vacancy report as unions press city to fill long‑standing openings

Hawaiian Gardens — The City Council on May 14 received and filed a report on the city’s vacant positions required under California Assembly Bill 2561, after human resources staff presented the status of posted and unfilled jobs and union representatives urged the council to fill several long‑standing vacancies.

The report, presented by HR Manager Rosario Zoli, described the AB 2561 requirement that public agencies present the status of vacancies in a public hearing at least once per fiscal year and before adoption of the final budget. “This new law requires public agencies like the city to present on the status of vacancies in a public hearing at least once per fiscal year and before the budget is approved,” Zoli said.

Unions representing both management and rank‑and‑file employees told the council they see multiple positions filled by contractors or assigned to staff working out of class, and they urged the city to recruit and promote from within. “We as a union stand against contractors because it takes away opportunities for community members,” said Arman Soto, president of Unit 36‑24 (rank and file). Juan Serrano, union president, said the city is losing employees and local hiring opportunities, arguing that pay and benefits reductions for new hires have harmed recruitment.

City staff said the vacancy picture reflects several factors: a class and compensation study completed earlier in 2025 that led to restructuring; a hiring freeze implemented in July because of fiscal uncertainty tied to potential impacts from litigation and development; pandemic‑era disruptions to recruitment; difficulty finding qualified on‑site candidates; and turnover from retirements. Zoli noted that some vacant duties are being covered temporarily by internal out‑of‑class assignments or consultants while job descriptions are updated and meet‑and‑confer obligations with bargaining units are resolved.

Union presenters provided a separate tally of positions they believe remain vacant or filled temporarily, and they asked the council to prioritize filling certain classifications. The union presentation listed roughly nine bargaining‑unit positions of particular concern, including a longtime vacant senior accountant, recreation supervisors, a transportation supervisor, and multiple part‑time and seasonal positions such as crossing guards and lifeguards. Zoli’s staff report listed 26 positions posted as of May 8, most of them part time and rank and file, and identified a single management vacancy (accounting manager).

Councilmembers asked clarifying questions about the number of contract employees and the city’s fiscal ability to fill the positions. Union representatives urged the council to review the use of contract employees and to consider promotions, stipends or out‑of‑class pay where appropriate. The council did not direct immediate hiring actions during the meeting; the item was presented as informational under AB 2561.

The public hearing closed with a motion to receive and file the report. The motion passed on a unanimous roll call vote: Councilmember Farfan — yes; Councilmember Roa — yes; Councilmember Vargas — yes; Mayor Pro Tem Del Rio — yes; Mayor De Pala — yes.

Council and union speakers said they intend to continue discussions outside the public hearing to resolve outstanding classification, posting and recruitment issues.