Arbitration Award Requires Long Beach Memorial to Pay Affected Workers Back Wages with Interest

Contact: Tony Montana, [email protected];(opens in new tab) 412-562-2592

LONG BEACH, Calif. - The United Steelworkers (USW) today said that the union has won a major arbitration victory on behalf of members of Local 2801 at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, securing an award requiring the medical center to make affected workers whole after violating its collective bargaining agreement.

Arbitrator Jonathan S. Monat ruled on Oct. 5, 2026, that Long Beach Memorial violated the contract by failing to pay bargaining unit members at least 30 percent more than the applicable California state minimum wage.

The arbitrator called the contract language "clear and unambiguous" and rejected the Medical Center's argument that the provision was tied to the minimum wage in effect when the contract language was negotiated.

The medical center has been ordered to make all affected employees whole with back pay, relevant benefit contributions and interest, which could result in millions of dollars in lost wages and related compensation being returned to workers.

"This is a major victory for our members and a clear demonstration of the power of a union contract," said USW District 12 Director Gaylan Prescott. "Our members fought to make sure Long Beach Memorial honored the agreement it made with them. The arbitrator agreed, and now affected workers will be made whole."

Prescott said that the decision underscores the importance of workers having a strong union and a collective bargaining agreement that protects their wages.

"USW members stood together and held their employer accountable," Prescott said. "This award shows what workers can accomplish when they have a union contract and are willing to fight to enforce it."

The USW represents 850,000 workers employed in metals, mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply and the energy-producing industries, along with a growing number of members in health care, public sector, higher education, tech and service occupations.

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