Oakland Reaches Tentative 5-Year Agreement with Firefighters Local 55

Published on October 27, 2026

The City of Oakland and the International Association of Firefighters Local 55 (Local 55) have reached a tentative, five-year labor contract that includes wage increases (16% over five years) as well as a modest pension pickup agreement to provide some relief from the City’s rising long-term personnel costs. The agreement was reached in mediation.

Pension and health care costs are rising by six percent (6%) per year even without pay increases. The rising cost of these benefits is one of the primary contributors to the City’s long-standing structural deficit and has been a key point of discussion during labor negotiations.

The tentative agreement is currently being voted on by the members of Local 55; final approval of the contract will be scheduled for a vote by the full City Council.

Background & Status of Labor Negotiations

The City of Oakland has been at the bargaining table negotiating with its seven employee labor groups since March/April 2026, meeting up to 2 times each week.

The negotiations have been guided by three key principles: 1) provide fair compensation and working conditions for all City employees, 2) partner with our labor organizations to protect the City’s long-term financial stability consistent with the City’s Roadmap to Fiscal Health, and 3) minimize service impacts to our community.

Three of the seven bargaining tables—rank-and-file police officers, Oakland Police Department managers, and firefighters—are completed.

Talks with the four remaining bargaining groups—SEIU Local 1021, IFPTE Local 21, IBEW Local 1245, and the Confidential Management Employees Association — are active and ongoing. The City is continuing to bargain in good faith, with multi-year wage increases on the table, and with the expectation of reaching agreements with all four groups.

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