Title
Adoption of Resolution Approving a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Between the International Association of Firefighters, Local 689 (IAFF) and the City of Alameda for a Twenty-Four Month Term Commencing January 1, 2026, and Ending December 31, 2027. (Human Resources 10025060)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Adam Politzer, Interim City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The prior agreement with IAFF, representing approximately 107 City of Alameda (City) employees, expired on December 31, 2025. Negotiations between the City and IAFF commenced in August of 2025.
The revised Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) submitted for approval represents a twenty-four-month agreement, commencing January 1, 2026, and ending December 31, 2027, with all economic items effective the first full pay period following City Council approval. The proposed MOU provides Base Revenue Index (BRI) Salary Adjustments in February 2026 and in January 2027, a longevity program, increases to Paramedic Preceptor pay and Uniform Allowance, conversion of Fire Investigator pay to a percentage of base salary, addition of Juneteenth holiday, expansion of eligible coursework for education reimbursement, non-PERSable lump sum payments in each year of the MOU term, codifying current practices, clarifying and updating outdated provisions, and updating language for CalPERS compliance. Elements of the proposed MOU are summarized below.
IAFF members have ratified this agreement.
BACKGROUND
The City has nine labor groups and administers two compensation plans. This includes four Public Safety groups and five miscellaneous groups.
The agreements with the seven miscellaneous groups, two Public Safety groups, and the two Compensation Plans expired in June of 2025. The City has now reached agreement with the Alameda Police Officers Association (APOA), Alameda Police Officers Association: Non-Sworn (PANS), Management and Confidential Employees Association (MCEA), the Alameda City Employees Association (ACEA), Alameda Police Managers Association (APMA), the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 1245 (IBEW) and the Electrical Utility Professionals Association (EUPA). The city is currently meeting with the Alameda Fire Chiefs Association (AFCA) group.
DISCUSSION
Proposed MOU wage increases for the term of the MOU will be based on the BRI, defined as one-half (i.e. 50%) of the year-over-year growth measured between successive fiscal years of the combined dollar amount of the following four (4) Alameda taxes: Property tax, 1% Bradley-Burns Sales Tax, Utility Users Tax, and Transient Occupancy Tax. The minimum base wage increases will be 1% and the maximum will be 5%. The MOU provides base wage increases as follows:
• Following the finalized BRI calculation from fiscal year 2023-2024 and 2024-2025, an increase to base wages of 1.16% will be effective first full pay period following City Council approval.
• Wage increase for 2027 will be based on BRI from fiscal year 2024-2025 and 2025-2026, with the minimum increase of 1% to base wages taking effect the first full pay period following January 1, 2027.
Additionally, the City will conduct total compensation surveys of IAFF classifications in January 2027. Any classifications found below market median will be adjusted up to a maximum of 5%.
The proposed MOU provides uniform allowance increases from $2,120 to $2,185 in the first full pay period following City Council approval, and $2,250 in January 2027. Additionally, Paramedic Preceptor pay was increased to $125 per shift, from $95 per shift
The City and IAFF agreed to convert Fire Investigator standby pay of 10.75% of top step Firefighter to 2% of base rate for a minimum of ten (10) members while so assigned.
The City and IAFF agreed to one-time non-PERSable lump sum payments in each year of the MOU. Amounts for 2027 will be passed on headcount as of January 1, 2027, and not to exceed the total aggregate cost of the 2026 lump sum payments.
The proposed MOU also adds Juneteenth as an observed holiday, aligning with City recognized holidays, expands funeral leave provision to include additional immediate family members, expands eligible coursework for education reimbursement within the current program, and codifies and clarifies modified duty for injured employees, and clarifies time off procedures out.
The City and IAFF also agreed to language updates to clarify, comply with the law, and/or update language for CalPERS compliance including revisions to CARE Team Pay, holiday-in-lieu, retirement, and consistent use of non-suppression terminology.
ALTERNATIVES
City Council may consider a number of alternatives, including:
• Approve the resolution as recommended. The City has bargained in good faith with IAFF and reached a successor agreement that provides modest wage increases, updates to incentive pays and workplace improvements.
• Deny the resolution. Staff does not recommend as it would trigger a delay in implementing a successor MOU that has been ratified by the bargaining unit.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The financial impact of implementing salary and other special pay changes agreed to in the IAFF MOU are shown in Table 1 below.
Table 1
The cost of increased Uniform Allowance, Paramedic Preceptor Pay, and Fire Investigator premium will be approximately $31,200 annually. It is anticipated that additional fiscal year costs will be included in future fiscal year budgets.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action is consistent with the Alameda Municipal Code.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This action does not constitute a “project” as defined in California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378 and therefore no further CEQA analysis is required.
CLIMATE IMPACT
There are no identifiable climate impacts or climate action opportunities associated with the subject of this report.
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution approving a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the International Association of Firefighters, Local 689 (IAFF) and the City of Alameda for a twenty-four month term commencing January 1, 2026, and ending December 31, 2027. (Human Resources 10025060)
Respectfully submitted,
Noelle White, Human Resources Director
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Ross McCarthy, Finance Director
Exhibits:
1. Memorandum of Understanding between IAFF and the City of Alameda, January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2027 - Redline
2. Memorandum of Understanding between IAFF and the City of Alameda, January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2027 - Clean
3. IAFF Salary Schedule, Effective February 22, 2026