Staff Report
City Council
Item No. 3.F
Meeting Date: March 25, 2026
From: Asusena H. Soren, Human Resources Manager
Title: Ratification of Agreement Between the City of Cathedral City and The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)
RECOMMENDATION:
To ratify the agreement between the City of Cathedral City ("City") and The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees ("AFSCME") via the Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") for the period of January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2028.
BACKGROUND:
The City and The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (“AFSCME”) via the Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) began negotiations over a successor Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The negotiation teams reached a full agreement for a three (3) year contract for the period of January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2028.
DISCUSSION:
The terms agreed to by the parties include the following:
1. TERM AND SALARY INCREASES
New Contract Term – January 1, 2026 – December 31, 2028 (3-year term) Salary Increases –
3% effective the first pay period following ratification 3% effective the first pay period following January 1, 2027 3% effective the first pay period following January 1, 2028
2. COMPENSATION ENHANCEMENTS
Call-out Pay – increased from two (2) to four (4) hours minimum at time and one-half for any call outs. This provision will be retroactive to the pay period following January 1, 2026.
Court-Hearing – an employee who is required to attend a court hearing shall be entitled to a minimum of two (2) hours pay. This provision will be retroactive to the pay period following January 1, 2026.
Bilingual Pay – Increased from $85 per pay period to $100 per pay period retroactive to the pay period following January 1, 2026. Emergency Services Personnel shall receive an increase in bilingual pay from $85 per pay period to $125 per pay period retroactive to the pay period following January 1, 2026.
Compensatory Time (CTO) – Effective the first pay period following ratification, increased from eighty (80) hour to one hundred (100) hour accrual limit.
3. POLICIES AND ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATES
Safety Equipment – clarification regarding the positions which will receive winter jackets and boot replacement.
Agreed to create a health and safety committee to address safety concerns of employees.
Bereavement Leave – Updated language to reflect state government code update of five (5) days of protected bereavement leave. Sick Leave – Updated language for clarification.
4. BENEFIT IMPROVEMENTS
Health Insurance Contributions – Increase monthly City Contributions retroactive to January 1, 2026:
oEmployee Only Coverage – to $1,100.00, from $ 1,077.09 oEmployee + One Dependent – to $2,100.00, from $2,097.56 oFamily Coverage – to $2,850.00, from $2,838.33
Short-Term Disability – Effective the next month following ratification, added City funded short-term disability benefit at no cost to employees. Deferred Compensation – Effective the first pay period following ratification, increase City match from $55 per pay period to $65 per pay period.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No additional impact to the adopted biennial budget for FY 2025/2026 and 2026/2027.
FIVE-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN:
Goal A – SERVE THE COMMUNITY WITH PRODE AND DEDICATION
Objective: Through diversity, equity, and inclusion-driven employee programs and experiences, Cathedral City is the employer of choice with a workforce that is engaged, motivated, and respected public stewards.
ATTACHMENTS:
Cathedral City – AFSCME MOU, 2026 – 2028 Final