Title
Adoption of Resolution Approving Letter of Understanding Between the International Association of Firefighters, Local 689, and the City of Alameda. (Human Resources 10025060)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Gerry Beaudin, City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Senate Bill 1024 (SB 1024) will be effective January 1, 2027, if signed by the Governor. The bill would require all fire departments to provide eligible firefighters up to twenty-six (26) weeks of fully paid postpartum and recovery leave. The effective date of this potentially new law leaves a gap for City of Alameda (City) staff who may have a qualifying event before January 2027.
The City and the International Association of Firefighters, Local 689 (IAFF) met to discuss solutions to address this gap, resulting in the proposed letter of understanding (LOU) included as Exhibit 1. The LOU closes that gap by implementing provisions of the bill's terms, contingent upon SB 1024 becoming law, effective the date of the Governor’s signature or October 1, 2026, sunsetting on January 1, 2027. The letter of agreement would be void if the Governor vetoes SB 1024.
IAFF members have ratified this agreement.
BACKGROUND
SB 1024 would require all fire departments to provide active firefighting members with up to twenty-six (26) weeks of fully paid postpartum and recovery leave due to disability from pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition. Eligibility requires at least 1,250 hours of service with the fire department in the 12 months preceding the qualifying event. The leave is granted upon the qualifying event, requires continuation of the member’s regular pay and benefits throughout the leave and restoration to the member’s prior position upon return.
The bill addresses a gap in current law: most public safety employees, including firefighters, do not participate in State Disability Insurance and are therefore ineligible for wage-replacement benefits. Absent a depar...
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