HBMEO Negotiations Update: Oct. 15, 2024

Dear HBMEO member,

As you may know, OCEA initiated negotiations with the City of Huntington Beach on July 15, 2024. We submitted our first proposal to the City on Aug. 28, 2024. Based on the City’s representations, we anticipated a follow-up meeting and counterproposal on Sept. 18, 2024. After City representatives cancelled two meetings in a row because they were not done costing our proposal, we were able to meet with them on Tuesday, Oct. 1.

The City responded that our proposal is higher than it can afford. Yet despite having more than a month to prepare, the City failed to submit any counterproposal. We refuse to negotiate against ourselves for fair wages and better working conditions. We let the City know it needs to promptly come back to HBMEO with its own proposal.

We return to the table Wednesday, Oct. 16. We'll let you know of new developments as the situation evolves.

In Solidarity,

Your HBMEO Bargaining Team

Publication Date: October 15, 2024