John Donegan

1 week ago | lbpost.com | John Donegan

Grocery workers across Southern California are preparing to strike against Ralphs, Albertsons, Vons and Pavilions — the region’s first in decades — unless a final round of negotiations next week can yield better pay, improved staffing and other benefits. More than 45,000 members of the United Food and Commercial Workers union, who stock and serve about 500 stores in the region, voted on June 11 to authorize a strike.

1 week ago | lbpost.com | John Donegan

The Long Beach Utilities headquarters at 1800 E. Wardlow Road on June 8, 2023. Photo by Jason Ruiz. Citing a rise in costs to deliver gas and water to the public, the Long Beach Board of Utilities Commissioners on Tuesday approved higher rates, as part of their $397.4 million budget for the fiscal year that begins in October. Under the plan, water and sewer rates will go up starting Oct. 1.

1 week ago | lbpost.com | John Donegan

Expect more clerks at self-checkout stations in Long Beach, after the City Council voted Tuesday to draft an ordinance requiring food and drug stores to staff up at their automated cashier counters. Titled “Safe Stores are Staffed Stores,” elected officials say the local ordinance will be a first in the nation: It will establish a 2:1 staffing ratio, where grocery stores and retail drug stores must staff at least one worker to supervise every two self-checkout stations.

1 week ago | lbpost.com | John Donegan

Free lunches being handed out to kids. Courtesy the city of Long Beach. Long Beach is once again offering free meals this summer to youngsters, as part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Summer Food Service Program. Starting this week through Aug. 22, the city and school district will offer meals at parks, libraries and school buildings to children in need.

1 week ago | lbpost.com | John Donegan

Good morning and welcome to Monday Morning Coffee! Grab your cup and let’s get to your weekly briefing of what’s on the agenda for local government and business leaders. Get this in your inbox every Monday by signing up at lbpost.com/newsletters. City meetingsAs its members prepare for a July recess, Tuesday’s Long Beach City Council meeting is expected to be a packed docket with several items we think you should consider.