Union members urge higher wages, paid bereavement and bilingual pay as National City council continues negotiations

At a special meeting of the National City City Council, union members and public-safety representatives urged elected officials to increase wages and benefits in ongoing contract negotiations, pressing for paid bereavement leave, bilingual pay for part‑time staff and larger across‑the‑board raises.

A union member identified in the record as Andrew said the union appreciated the council’s support for educational benefits and bilingual pay but called the city’s current proposal “way too low.” “We need to take care of ourselves, our loved ones, and keep up with rising costs,” Andrew said, adding that turnover to higher‑paying employers is expensive for the city.

The nut of the unions’ message was that part‑time employees and firefighters are leaving or risk falling behind competing employers. A speaker identified as Carl and others…