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Santa Maria council approves successor MOU with firefighters; 4–1 vote
Summary
The City Council adopted resolutions approving a successor memorandum of understanding with the Santa Maria Firefighters Union Local 2020 and an updated pay schedule. The measure passed 4–1 with Mayor Pro Tem Escobedo voting no.
The Santa Maria City Council on May 6 adopted resolutions approving a successor memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Santa Maria Firefighters Union Local 2020 and an updated city pay schedule.
Matthew Cherkop, president of the Santa Maria Firefighters, urged the council to approve the successor MOU, saying the agreement would ‘‘recognize our sacrifices and dedication’’ and help make firefighting jobs in Santa Maria competitive again. Cherkop said the pact would provide families and firefighters ‘‘a level of assurance and support that they desperately need.’’
Council member So to moved to approve the MOU; the council approved the resolutions on a roll-call vote: Council member So to — Aye; Council member Aguilera Hernandez — Aye; Council member Flores — Aye; Mayor Pro Tem Escobedo — No; Mayor Patino — Aye. The motion carried 4–1.
City staff presented the resolutions as routine successor bargaining approval and an update to the city’s comprehensive pay schedule. Supporters at the meeting said the MOU would help recruitment and retention of firefighters and fire prevention inspectors. During public comment, other speakers asked the council to consider longer-term budgetary effects and to protect senior mobile home residents, but the council recorded its approval of the firefighter MOU at the meeting.
The council did not provide additional financial detail in the meeting beyond staff summaries and the announced approval. No implementation dates beyond the resolutions’ effective on-date were specified during the hearing.
