The Manhattan Beach City Council on Tuesday approved a new three-year labor agreement with the Manhattan Beach Firefighters’ Association (MBFA).

The contract includes a 10% cost of living salary increase spread out over three years for Manhattan Beach firefighters as well as the following benefits:

• 2.5% collateral duty pay for special certifications
• Increase and expansion in technical specialty pay
• Increase in acting pay
• Increase in total number of payable holiday hours
• Sick leave can be cashed out or put towards deferred compensation
• Increase the number of employees per shift who may use vacation time

“City management has worked hand-in-hand with the Firefighters’ Association to reach this agreement that both respects the work and sacrifice of our firefighters who put their lives on the line each day and is fiscally responsible on behalf of the taxpayers,” said Mayor Richard Montgomery in a statement. “I am thankful for the city management team, union representatives, and the professionalism, courage, and teamwork it took to come to this agreement.”

“The Manhattan Beach Fire Department is home to some of the most talented firefighters in the field. I applaud the city for coming to the table to ensure that our wages are fair and current,” said MBFA President Rudy Mejia in a statement.

Manhattan Beach Fire Department has 27 firefighters/paramedics, engineers/paramedics, and captains/paramedics who provide a wide array of emergency response and support services to the Manhattan Beach community.

The agreement will begin on July 1, 2023, and expire on June 30, 2026.

Previously, after a series of often-acrimonious negotiations, the city had imposed a one-year contract on the firefighters' union.