As the Anaheim City Council approaches its final budget decisions, scrutiny is being placed on the compensation for approximately ten Duty Managers at the Anaheim Convention Center. These individuals, who serve as on-site back-up to Event Managers, hold significant authority, directing hundreds of set-ups and breakdowns, and overseeing thousands of people during events, including Convention Center employees, union and non-union workers, and attendees. Their responsibilities include the power to close the center in extreme circumstances, reflecting their broad oversight over nearly everyone on site.
Despite their critical roles, Duty Managers last received a pay increase in 2016, a decade ago. Over this period, the state's minimum wage rose from $10 to $16.90, a 69% increase, and to $20 for fast-food workers, a 100% increase. With Orange County experiencing a 34% rise in the cost of living, the adjusted value of a Duty Manager's 2016 wage is now $14.41, which is below the current standard minimum wage of $16.90 and only slightly above the fast-food minimum wage.
Attempts by Duty Managers to secure updated compensation have faced setbacks. While most Convention Center employees became part of a union contract about four years ago, Duty Managers were not included. In March 2024, two years ago, they unanimously agreed to join the union, anticipating a scheduled increase. However, Anaheim’s City Attorney denied their inclusion, citing that it was 'mid-contract' and thus no alterations were permitted. Their pay increase request was subsequently ignored, marking eight years without a raise at that point.
To address the issue, the city initiated a 're-classification' study, which extended past the 2025 budget season. This delay resulted in their pay increase request being passed over yet again, bringing the period without a raise to nine years. It has now been two years since their last pay increase request, totaling a decade without a raise. A Deputy Director at the Convention Center recently informed Duty Managers that there would be no retroactive pay, and they should 'not to expect much'.
This stagnation contrasts with compensation increases observed among other Convention Center leadership. Over the last decade, Executive Director Tom Morton's overall compensation rose 34% to $448,000, while Event Service Director Michelle Henry saw a 28% increase to $189,000, according to Transparent California. Deputy Director Mindy Abel's overall compensation increased 65% over the previous six years, reaching $357,000, according to Transparent California. Other Event Managers' compensation increases were roughly in line with the Cost of Living.
The City of Anaheim's 'Personnel Rules & Policies' state that positions with similar duties should be classified and compensated on a 'UNIFORM basis.' Given the significant authority and broad oversight held by Duty Managers, and a reported retention problem linked to low pay and lack of benefits, an adjustment is suggested. It is noted that this small group of approximately ten employees means that addressing this compensation issue would not significantly impact the city's budget, and an adjustment retroactive to their 2024 inquiry is suggested as a matter of fairness.
