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City employees urge council to protect pay and staffing as labor negotiations proceed
Summary
Representatives of multiple employee organizations told the council on June 10 that staffing shortages and low pay are driving attrition and damaging city services. Unions urged transparent bargaining and warned that cuts to compensation or staffing would further harm recruitment and public‑service delivery.
Multiple representatives of South Gate employee associations addressed council on June 10 during the public‑comment period and in closed session briefings. Speakers representing the Professional Mid‑Management Association (PMMA), the Municipal Employees Association (MEA) and the Police Officers Association pressed the council to factor employee recruitment, retention and morale into budget decisions and labor talks.
Joanna Monteroza, vice president of PMMA, said the association is committed to working with the city but urged “clear good faith engagement” in labor bargaining and asked the council to consider the impact of staffing and compensation choices on continuity of city services.
Brandon Williams, president of MEA, told the council that several employee groups had coordinated and supported recommendations to address pay and that the city’s historic refusal to adopt a utility users tax has left South Gate behind neighboring cities with more revenue for staffing and infrastructure.
Arturo Macias, speaking for the Police Officers Association, described operational strain in public‑safety staffing, repeated mandatory overtime and the loss of officers to better‑paying neighboring departments. He urged the council to prioritize employees to maintain public safety.
In closed session the city manager briefed the council on negotiations with the five employee organizations listed on the agenda; the city attorney reported guidance had been given but that no reportable action was taken when council reconvened in open session.
