Fremont City Council Meeting: 11/18/25 07:00 PM
3300 Capitol Avenue Div/Dept: Human Resources
Fremont, CA 94538 Category: Labor Relations
SCHEDULED
Sponsors:
COUNCIL STAFF REPORT (ID # 5588) DOC ID: 5588
Updated: 11/14/2025 9:28 AM by Susan Gauthier Page 1
FREMONT BATTALION CHIEFS, INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF
FIREFIGHTERS, LOCAL 1689 (IAFF-BC) MOU - Consideration of a Resolution Approving a Successor Memorandum of Understanding with the Fremont Battalion Chiefs, International Association of Firefighters, Local 1689 (IAFF-BC) Contact Persons:
Name: Tina Gallegos Brian Stott
Title: Human Resources Director Assistant City Manager
Div/Dept: Human Resources City Manager's Office
Phone: 510-494-4652 510-494-4660
E-Mail: [email protected] [email protected]
Executive Summary: In November 2025, following completion of the meet-and-confer process, the City of Fremont (City) and the Fremont Battalion Chiefs, International Association of Firefighters, Local 1689 (IAFF-BC) concluded labor negotiations for a successor Memorandum of Understanding. The bargaining unit consists of six (6) members who are Fire Battalion Chiefs. The proposed successor MOU contains the following changes from the prior agreement term: modest compensation and health-benefit allowance increases (inclusive of a parity clause). The remaining substantive provisions of the MOU are unchanged. The effective date of the successor MOU will be November 16, 2025 (the start of the first full pay period following notification of IAFF-BC ratification), and it will expire on June 30, 2026.
BACKGROUND: The City’s current MOU with IAFF-BC expired on June 30, 2025. The City’s negotiating team met and conferred with IAFF-BC representatives regarding a successor agreement. Following multiple negotiation sessions, the City presented its Last, Best, and Final Offer (LBFO) to IAFF on October 17, 2025. On November 11, 2025, IAFF members voted to accept the City’s LBFO, and thus the parties have reached a tentative agreement for a successor MOU. California Government Code Section 3505.1 requires the City Council to vote on the proposed successor MOU at a duly noticed public meeting.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS: The significant changes in the proposed successor Memorandum of Understanding include:
1. Employee Compensation:
a) Effective the start of the first full pay period following IAFF-BC ratification of the tentative agreement, IAFF-BC members will receive a base wage increase of 1.3%.
2. Health Benefit Allowance:
a) Effective the first of the month following IAFF-BC ratification of the tentative agreement, the unit’s health benefit allowance will be increased by $100 per month (from $2,700 per month to $2,800 per month).
Council Staff Report (ID # 5588) Meeting of November 18, 2025 Updated: 11/14/2025 9:28 AM by Susan Gauthier Page 2
b) Effective January 1, 2026, the unit’s health benefit allowance will be increased by an additional $100 per month (from $2,800 per month to $2,900 per month).
3. Parity or “Me Too”:
a) If, during the term of this Memorandum of Understanding, the City grants a general, across-the-board wage increase to another bargaining unit greater than 1.3% provided in Article 2, Section 2.1, the City agrees to extend the equivalent general wage increase to IAFF-BC. This provision does not apply to increases as a result of any market equity increases or increases based on internal relationships. This provision will sunset at 11:59 p.m. on June 30, 2026.
If during the term of this Memorandum of Understanding, the City grants a larger Health Benefit Allowance increase to another bargaining unit, the same allowance increase shall be granted to IAFF-BC.
FISCAL IMPACT:
1. Compensation Increase:
a) Fiscal Year 2025/26 Anticipated Fiscal Impact: $21,787
2. Health Benefit Allowance
a) Fiscal Year 2025/26 Anticipated Fiscal Impact: $21,592
Staff will return to the City Council with recommended adjustments to the FY 2025/26 Adopted Budget reflecting the terms of the approved MOU.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: The proposed approval of a successor MOU is exempt from and not subject to review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because, without limitation, it is not a “project” as defined in CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(2) and/or 15378(b)(5), and it has no possibility of having a significant effect on the environment, as specified in CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), each as a separate and independent basis for CEQA compliance.
LINKS: None.
ATTACHMENTS:
• IAFF-BC Resolution 2025
RECOMMENDATION: Adopt a resolution approving the tentative agreement with the Fremont Battalion Chiefs, International Association of Firefighters (IAFF-BC), Local 1689 and authorizing the City Manager to execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the period of November 16, 2025, through June 30, 2026, between the City of Fremont and IAFF-BC.