San Diego City Council Approves Union Contracts Mixing Pay Raises with Furloughs

The San Diego City Council voted to adopt new labor agreements for municipal workers. The contracts pair wage hikes with mandatory furlough weeks. Negotiators said the structure balances budget constraints with employee compensation. The raises will apply to a range of city departments. Furloughs are slated to occur during low‑activity periods. The agreements aim to avoid layoffs while controlling costs. Union leaders expressed cautious optimism about the deal. Implementation will begin with the upcoming fiscal year.