1 February 2, 2026
Charter Review Committee
City of Glendale
613 E. Broadway
Glendale, California 91206
RE: Written Comments Regarding Proposed Civil Service Amendments (Article IV, Section 4 and Article XXIV Civil Service Provisions) Dear Members of the Charter Review Committee:
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 18 has reviewed the proposed redline Charter language put forth by the City of Glendale, as well as the accompanying Staff Report dated December 11, 2025, and submits the following written comments in support and opposition where noted.
ARTICLE XXIV
Civil Service
§ 2. Duties of civil service commission generally; rules.
Eligible Lists – Alternative 1 – Length Established by Commission IBEW Local 18 opposes these proposed revisions. It is the position of IBEW Local 18 that the proposed language is too vague and gives too much authority to the commission to establish or cancel lists without specific parameters. Removal of the language that addresses timeframes (e.g., “not longer than two years nor less than one year….”) gives too much authority to cancel eligible lists prematurely which may result in wasted resources and inequitable opportunities for those who have passed an examination.
Eligible Lists – Alternative 2 – At Least One Year
Likewise, the reasoning for removing the timeframe that limits the list to two years as proposed in both Alternatives 1 and 2 is unclear. The case has not been made to edit this language. IBEW Local 18 opposes changes to the Charter language as written.
Procedure as to Appointments – Alternative 1 – Discretion in Rules IBEW Local 18 opposes the removal of three whole scores language on the basis of equity and merit-based hiring.
2 Procedure as to Appointments – Alternative 2 – Rule of Three Whole Scores (6) IBEW Local 18 agrees with the removal of “one of three persons” in favor of the proposed replacement language “three highest whole scores”.
(7) Probation Period. IBEW Local 18 opposes this draft language, on the basis that it gives broad authority to extend the probationary period without specifically articulating what exceptions may be considered (e.g., leaves of absence or training programs and apprenticeship programs). This is especially important since Labor does not currently participate in the Commission selection process.
Furthermore, the Charter language and the City of Glendale should follow the law as it pertains to military “no harm” clauses outlined in the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). The law states in part that service members can return to their civilian jobs with the same status, pay, and benefits they would have attained if they had not been absent due to military service.
(9) Transfer; Demotion; Reinstatement. IBEW Local 18 supports this addition of language that permits employees who “voluntarily resign” to be reinstated to their former position within one year provided the separation in service is without fault or delinquency on their part (e.g., an employee marked willing to rehire).
(10) Promotion. IBEW Local 18 opposes this proposed addition to the Charter language on the basis that it impacts merit-based hiring. Suspending an exam process and promoting without a mechanism to determine equity allows for too much opportunity for abuse. § 5. Suspension of competition.
IBEW Local 18 does not oppose the language change from “administrative services” to “finance”.
§ 7. Application of article; exception as to unclassified service.
IBEW Local 18 has no objection to the updates in title and removals suggested by these proposed Charter revisions outlined in this section.
§ 9b. Abolishment of positions.
IBEW Local 18 does not oppose this proposed Charter revision, with the caveat that work history records management citywide must be strengthened such that seniority is firmly established.
§ 10. Procedure as to appointments.
IBEW Local 18 does not oppose the language change from “administrative services” to “finance”.
3 Staff Report Entitled “Department Heads in Classified Service and Authority Regarding Appointment and Dismissal of Department Heads” (December 11, 2025)
On this matter, IBEW Local 18 takes the position that designating a sole authority to appoint, discipline, and dismiss Department Heads without the approval of Council creates an environment wherein there are no checks and balances in place to prevent abuse. Other models of government, including that of the City of Los Angeles, allow for the review by elected officials of appointments to the highest positions held in a given Department. The Los Angeles City Council has the authority to confirm or reject appointments and is involved in the appointment process of Department heads and other positions.
IBEW Local 18 therefore supports changes to the Charter that follow the model for hiring and removing at-will Department Heads, subject to City Council approval, to be effective upon the existing civil-service protected Department Head attrition. IBEW Local 18 concurs with the Glendale Police Officers’ Association (GPOA) position that the Police Chief Position may be excluded from this revision, on the basis that a compelling case has been made for professional independence in law enforcement.
In conclusion, it is the position of IBEW Local 18 that any changes to these hiring processes outlined in the Charter are subject to meet and confer and bargaining before any such changes are introduced for voter consideration.
In addition, the Meyers-Milias-Brown-Act (MMBA) requires the City to meet and confer with IBEW Local 18 before the City Council moves forward any ballot measure altering matters within the scope of representation, including hiring, promotion, and probationary period. Gov.
Code, § 3505; People ex rel. Seal Beach Police Officers Assn. v. City of Seal Beach (1984) 36 Cal. 3d 591, 601. For the absence of any doubt, IBEW Local 18 does not waive its right to meet and confer by submitting this response, nor is the City relieved from its duty to meet and confer by IBEW Local 18’s submission of this response. IBEW Local 18 reserves its right to engage in such meet and confer at the appropriate time.
Sincerely,
_________________________________
Martin Marrufo
Business Manager
IBEW Local 18
c: Glendale City Council
Roubik Golanian, City Manager
Michael Garcia, City Attorney