By JOSE HERRERA
City News Service
The Los Angeles City Council on Tuesday, Nov. 5, approved a four-year, $203 million contract with the union representing Los Angeles Fire Department personnel, which officials say will boost base wages and improve health benefits.
Members of the United Firefighters of Los Angeles City such as firefighters, fire captains, apparatus operators, engineers and helicopter pilots are expected to receive an annual 3% increase to their base wages, totaling 12% by fiscal year 2027-28. They will also see a 5% annual increase to their health benefits.
The council voted 12-0 in favor of the contract with members Kevin de León, Heather Hutt and Nithya Raman absent during the vote.
Councilmember Monica Rodriguez, who serves as chair of the Public Safety Committee, urged her colleagues to approve the contract. She cited the dangerous work firefighters are exposed to as a reason to provide wage increases.
Rodriguez also touted her efforts to provide 12 weeks of paid parental leave for LAFD personnel, which will now be part of the new contract.
“This policy is particularly significant in attracting younger generations who prioritize employers that foster a work-life balance and ultimately strengthening the LAFD’s family-friendly appeal,” she said.
According to a city report, the agreement will cost about $76 million to the city’s General Fund this fiscal year, followed by a $39.4 million cost in FY 2025-26, $45.4 million in FY 2026-27 and $42.2 million in FY 2027-28.
Freddie Escobar, president of the United Firefighters of Los Angeles City, noted the contract is “strongly supported” by the union’s rank-and-file. The LAFD has about 3,400 sworn personnel including commanding officers.
“This [contract] reflects the work that our brothers and sisters do in an understaffed fire department,” Escobar said.
Chung Ho, vice president of the union, described the contract as “fair.”
“Firefighters respond to nearly 2,000 emergency calls each and every day,” Ho said. “As firefighters, we are proud to serve the city of Los Angeles, and we do it with courage, pride and integrity.”
Matt Szabo, the city administrative officer, said in an email to City News Service that funding to cover the contract was included in the budget. He added, “We made an estimate and set the money aside anticipating the deal would be approved at some point during the fiscal year.”
On Monday, Zach Seidl, spokesman for Mayor Karen Bass, also emphasized that funding was assumed in the budget for the wage increases.
“The mayor’s priority is to keep Angelenos safe and this investment will help LAFD remain staffed and ready to respond quickly all across the city,” Seidl told CNS.