July 18, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

“As Needed” Santa Monica Beach Workers Fight For Rights:

With the City of Santa Monica moving towards eliminating contract and as-needed workers, nine custodial beach workers have banded together in an attempt to secure their positions and livelihoods.

Rallying outside Santa Monica City Hall prior to Tuesday’s Jan. 13 council meeting, the Santa Monica beach workers, joining the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), called for recognition of their services. Some have been working in an “as needed” capacity for 28 years.

The group was pushing for permanent status for all nine workers and waited until late in the evening to hear City Council respond to a staff report regarding outsourcing and projected hiring trends.

The beach custodial workers are key to maintaining the beach that is the center of Santa Monica’s identity and economy, according to the IWW.

“The workers serve hundreds of daily beach goers by cleaning the bathrooms and lifeguard stations, pressure washing the pedestrian and bike paths, sorting trash and recyclables, and coordinating court ordered volunteer work,” the union stated.

The workers’ action fell as Santa Monica council members discussed City staff recommendations to convert certain as-needed hours to permanent positions, and to bring currently contracted services in-house.

“Implementing changes simultaneously and within a short period of time would increase the City’s overall budget by $1.8 million in year one,” City staff stated.

There are currently 600 as-needed workers in the city, a contracted report finding that many of them do not fall under the official “as-needed” classification.

Discussion regarding the City’s as-needed workers follows a Council request from Aug. 26, 2014, for City staff to perform a comprehensive study of the City’s contractual services, including an evaluation of the number of contracted employees and as-needed staff currently performing services for the City, and options to convert these jobs into permanent full time City positions.

Staff reviewed all possible as-needed conversions, and analyzed each position against criteria

for appropriate as-needed use: fluctuating or inconsistent demand; seasonal work; limited daily hours; fill vacancies; pilot or limited term program; and unbudgeted additional service, according to the City.

“Staff found that 47 percent of the total identified as-needed hours did not fit these criteria. They recommended converting these hours to 25.65 full time equivalent staff or 30 positions: 14.0 full time and 16.0 part time. This change would impact 40-50 current as-needed employees filling these hours,” according to the City.

A decision was made during Tuesday’s council session to direct City staff to introduce a special classification for the beach workers, as their current roles and duties do not fall inline with current civic service permanent classifications.

Listening to 32 speakers on the issue, including many of the beach workers themselves, council members quizzed the City’s Human Resource Director Donna Peter about how the City could incorporate the beach workers as permanent employees.

“They were denied medical benefits for years before the federal Affordable Care Act required the City provide benefits,” the IWW said. “They have also been denied sick days, holiday pay, collective bargaining rights, guaranteed pathways towards becoming permanent workers, or guaranteed employment following their weekly shifts.”

A prominent face on Santa Monica’s beaches, Shyolanda Montana told City Council that she is supporting her mother and two sisters with her as-needed wage, and works a second job to make up for the benefits that she doesn’t receive.

“I love my job even though I commute an hour to work everyday just to make rent for my mom and I,” Montanta said. “On top of the 40 hours I put in each week to keep the beach safe and clean, I work a second job to make up for the benefits that I don’t receive. I’m definitely not the only beach worker that does this.”

However, becoming a permanent employee of the City of Santa Monica is not as easy as it might seem, attendees to Tuesday night’s meeting were informed.

As the City has strict civic service rules and regulations, all permanent positions must be created in an equal fashion, to ensure fair recruitment for all, Peter explained.

When questioned by Councilwoman Sue Himmelrich on whether the beach workers’ continual employment and their obvious success in performing tasks as required could counter such a recruitment process, Peter replied that they would all be subject to some type of test and go through an official application process.

The Human Resources Director also explained that her department would assist all of the current workers on methods of application and that her staff would design a special category of employment with requirements that fall in line with the current workers’ skills and experience.

Peters emphasized that while she can guarantee the creation of such permanent positions, she can give no guarantee that the current as-needed beach workers would be successful in obtaining the roles.

A motion to move City Staff recommendations, including the creation of a special classification for the beach workers, was made by Councilwoman Gleam Davis, seconded by Councilwoman Pam O’Connor, and passed by Council unanimously.

• Do you have a story idea or news tip? Contact Jennifer Eden by email at Jennifer@smmirror.com.

in News
<>Related Posts

Man Arrested in Brentwood for Impersonating Firefighter During Palisades Fire

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

The suspect faces at least 28 criminal counts—including 23 felonies—spanning incidents from 2023 to May 2025 Federal and local law...

West Coast Premiere of ‘The Opposite of Love’ Opens at Hudson Backstage Theatre

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Produced by Neil Gooding Productions, behind shows like Back to the Future: The Musical, the play runs Thursdays through Saturdays at...

Study Highlights Economic Impact of Cap-and-Trade Extension in Los Angeles

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Governor Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders are pushing to reauthorize the program this year, citing its role in generating 287,000...

Film Review: Superman

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

“This movie is packed with storyline, Superman lore, meaningful objects, and action.” writes Kathryn Whitney Boole Rated PG-13129 MinutesReleased July...

Multiple Drug Arrests Reported in Palisades Park in Recent Weeks

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

SMPD Reported Several of the Arrests Between June 29 and July 5 The Santa Monica Police Department reported several drug-related...

(Video) Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The outpost is a first for the popular influencer Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?...

Mayor Bass Hails National Guard Withdrawal as Victory for Unity

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The Pentagon’s decision to reduce the troop presence follows weeks of legal challenges and public demonstrations Mayor Karen Bass celebrated...

DUI Checkpoints to be Conducted Across LA This Weekend

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The LAPD selects checkpoint sites based on data indicating high incidents of impaired driving-related crashes and arrests The Los Angeles...

SMPD to Conduct Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Operation on Friday

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The focus will be on speeding, illegal turns, failing to yield or provide right of way to cyclists or walkers,...

Dodgers to Host Back to School Bash for Fire-Affected Families

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The free event will offer free groceries, school supplies, outfits, haircuts, medical screenings, and carnival rides The Los Angeles Dodgers...

LA Sees Second Straight Year of Homelessness Decline, Leaders Celebrate Progress

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The survey, designed by the University of Southern California, reported a 17.5% drop—the largest two-year decrease on record The Los...

LAPD Seeks Missing 63-Year-Old Man Known to Frequent Playa Vista

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

His family last heard from him via a group text on June 22 The Los Angeles Police Department’s Missing Persons...

Santa Monica Offers City-Owned Properties for Affordable Housing Development

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

The move aims to address the city’s Regional Housing Need Assessment of 8,895 units, with a goal of producing at...

California Hits Two-Thirds Clean Energy Milestone

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

This year, clean energy has powered the state for an average of seven hours daily, with over 90% of days...

Venice Beach to Host First Medal at 2028 Olympics

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

Venice Beach, known for its vibrant boardwalk, will kick off the 844 ticketed events, hosting the triathlon along its coastline...