AFSCME Local 1117 has ratified three 13-month contracts with the City of Torrance. The new agreements come after years of negotiating contracts that expired on June 30, 2020.

For years the City of Torrance struggled with recruiting and retaining employees due to its lack of competitive wages and benefits. The City was at risk of losing vital services due to understaffing, which is why the Local prioritized wage increases during this negotiations process that would make the City of Torrance competitive with neighboring cities.

It took time, but the Local remained determined and secured strong wage increases. When the City offered low-ball wage increases, the union acted. AFSCME Local 1117 members and their supporters filled city council chambers with AFSCME green and urged city council members to offer fair wages to their employees. The City listened and conducted a salary adjustment survey, which helped them finally recognize that wage increases were vital to recruiting and retaining employees. The determination of the union was effective, and the City offered salary adjustments and wage increases that will address understaffing.

Torrance municipal employees received a 4 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). Additionally, the City implemented one-time salary market adjustments that gives municipal employees increases ranging from a total of 6 percent to 19 percent. Torrance library employees also received increased market adjustments of 6 percent for librarians, 9 percent for library techs and senior library techs, 14 percent for pages, and 19 percent for senior pages. Lastly, crossing guards received a 9 percent increase. “I am really proud of the wage increases we were able to negotiate,” said AFSCME Local 1117 Vice President Kenny Evans. “Getting proper raises will make a real difference in their lives.”

The new contracts have already started to have positive effects on the City. The City has started to fill vacant positions, which will be a relief for members who have been overworked. There is still work to do to continue to address understaffing, but this new contract is a huge step in the right direction. “AFSCME Local 1117 did not cave in when it would have been easy to do so and continued to put pressure on the City to address the state of their workforce,” said Bob Adams, AFSCME Local 1117 business representative. “It is a testament of what a union can do when members stick together.”