City Council approves significant pay raises for union workers

During a recent City Council meeting, significant discussions centered around the approval of resolutions related to delinquent wastewater charges and a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) for city employees.

The meeting commenced with a public hearing regarding the placement of delinquent wastewater charges on the county property tax roll. City officials requested the Rialto Utility Authority to conduct this hearing and approve resolutions 8272 and 8-39, which would authorize the placement of these charges with the San Bernardino County Auditor Controller Recorder's Office. After a brief public comment period, which saw no speakers, the council moved to close the hearing and subsequently approved the resolutions without objection.

In a separate agenda item, the council considered three resolutions concerning the MOU for the Teamsters mid-management and confidential union. This agreement, effective from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2025, includes a 6% cost of living adjustment (COLA) retroactive to July 1, 2023, and an additional 5% increase retroactive to July 1, 2024. Furthermore, it provides a one-time bonus of $16.10 for each unit member and raises the medical cash allowance to $250 per month to address rising medical costs. The total cost of this agreement is projected at $588,520, with a budget appropriation of $291,520 requested to cover retroactive increases and bonuses.

The council unanimously approved the resolutions related to the MOU, signaling a commitment to support city employees amid rising living costs. The meeting concluded with the council moving on to additional agenda items.