Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Labor Pay topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
National City workers, unions press council for higher pay and quicker bargaining
Summary
Multiple union representatives and city employees urged the National City Council during public comment to approve larger raises, citing a delayed bargaining timeline, an incomplete salary survey and a claimed $23 million unassigned fund balance; council moved into closed session to meet with labor negotiators.
Dozens of city employees and union representatives urged the National City Council to speed up contract talks and increase wages during the public-comment period, saying the city’s current offer falls far short of members’ needs.
Several speakers spoke directly to council members about stalled bargaining and pay gaps. James Kim, introduced by the clerk, told the council that employees had asked for a 20% increase while the city returned a 2% offer, calling that proposal "a slap in the face" and urging the council to provide at least a midrange increase now to help workers facing hardship. "If you really wanna do something for these employees, then, you know, give them give them 10% right now," he said.
The comments came amid repeated appeals from public-works staff, firefighters and other longtime city employees who described making ends meet on low wages. Jeremy Day, who identified himself as National City Firefighters president, said the union’s compensation survey found members were "11% to 13.75% out of the market average" and asked the council to approve a base-pay increase during a proposed six-month extension so multiyear bargaining can proceed in July.
Speakers also raised procedural and funding points. One commenter cited bargaining dates and document delivery: a letter of intent dated 08/16/2024, an initial meet on Oct. 16, and staggered delivery of salary-survey materials (partial data on Oct. 10 and the remainder on Oct. 29). That speaker also urged the council to consider using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, noting the city’s financial statements showed an unassigned fund balance of $23,000,000 as of June 30, 2023 compared with a stated target of $6,000,000.
Other residents pressed for accountability and fair treatment. A resident identified by the clerk raised concerns about the interim city manager’s decision-making and alleged favorable treatment of a council member; the speaker urged the council to address perceived lapses in fiduciary responsibility rather than the council being "responsive to selected voices."
Council members did not take public action during the remarks. After the public-comment period the mayor announced the council would go into closed session on item 5.1 — a conference with labor negotiators covering the Municipal Employees Association, the National Firefighters Association and the Police Officers Association.
The closed session was scheduled to follow immediately; the public record does not include the outcome of that private meeting.
