The Long Beach City Council overwhelmingly approved a plan to make fire department wages more competitive compared to departments in the region, with an 8-1 vote in Tuesday night’s meeting.  Councilwoman Rae Gabelich dissented due to concerns about how the city would pay for the increases.  She made a substitute motion that would have delayed action for 30 days, and would have required the City Manger to come back to the Council with more specifics on how the increases would be paid for.  That motion failed.

Firefighters now face the promise of rising wages that could increase 27% by the year 2013.

A similar proposal that will pay the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers up to a 12% increase by 2012 was approved by a 7-2 vote, with Councilman Gary DeLong joining Gabelich in dissenting.

This Press-Telegram article explains that the approved proposals could cost the city of Long Beach up to $52 million over their duration.  City manager Pat West said that the city can afford the current year’s bill, but in the future it is likely that jobs will need to be cut.

by Ryan ZumMallen, Managing Editor