Local 3947 Sergeant of Arms – Fracisco Guetierrez, President Lupita Gomez- Duran, City Attorney Perrodin, Legal Technician Sandra De Dios, Vice President Jose Lozano By Andrew Perry Vice President, AFSCME District Council 36 City of Compton rightfully paid back wages to Legal Technician Sandra De Dios, in the amount of $92,000, for working out of class for an extended period of time. Over the years, the dedicated members of AFSCME Local 3947 have faced numerous challenges stemming from unstable management, budget deficits, and unfortunate layoffs. This situation has forced our members to shoulder increased workloads, often without the corresponding compensation they rightfully deserve. The city administration's reluctance to provide adequate remuneration has further compounded the difficulties faced by our members. The ever-changing landscape of Compton's leadership, with at least 6 City Managers and 4 different City Attorneys since 2015, has created an environment characterize...

  By Andrew Perry President, Artesia Local 1520 Vice President, AFSCME District Council 36 Artesia, California - City employees had to do a double take when the City Council decided to offer handsome salary increases for two managers in particular, while maintaining historic low salaries for all other employees. As union president, I take the philosophy of transparent local government to heart. Many Artesians have expressed to me the approval of not just the fight for the City in 2021, but also the reasons behind it - that employees were concerned about the City's finances and the ability of the City to serve its residents. Recent events have again raised concerns about transparency, particularly in light of the roles these two managers played in 2021, when the City was under a different city manager, whom employees contend ran the City like a mafia boss. How Two High Level Managers Compromise Artesia's Integrity When every employee rebelled against the former City Manager for...

  Compton, California - City of Compton's manager Thomas Thomas (yes, that's his name) offered the City's own employees from AFSCME Local 3947 zero salary increases over a three year period. The union is now at an impasse. On May 23, employees and allies attended the City Council meeting to let their voices be known. This is the first step in an issue that is likely to escalate if these employees are not offered a fair contract.  #afscme #union #cityofcompton #comptonca

  Torrance, California - Torrance employees and several members of allied union Locals packed a Torrance City Council meeting to deliver some important news: the City's ongoing mismanagement is leading to high turnover, and that the situation is reaching a crisis point. The status of a 'full service City' is now at risk. Prior to packing the house, AFSCME 1117 David Inez said he wants everyone too be positive and friendly, because the City Council is the last hope to keep Torrance a "full service City".  Union Representative Bob Adams said there are several city services that are close to being shut down due to lack of staffing. When asked about whether he is looking to steer Torrance away from being a full service city, City Manager Aram Chaparyan denied it. Other union locals who showed up in support of Torrance employees are Artesia 1520, Bellflower 3745, Carson 809, Lawndale 1895, Los Angeles 3090 and Los Angeles Metro 3634. United Steelworkers 675 was also i...

ABC Unified School District teachers are on their third day of a ‘work slowdown’, an organized effort to bring attention to certain board members who are refusing to negotiate salary increases, as of February 9, 2022. Every year, ABC School District and teachers represented by the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), Local 2317, are supposed to negotiate a compensation package that covers cost of living and salary adjustments.  But since the pandemic, the teachers have not had any salary compensation, despite an increased workload. Almost all the blame seems to be placed on current Board majority, and teachers are asking for parents’ help by leaving messages to the school board that the District needs to negotiate a salary increase for ABC teachers. According to the teachers, Dr. Chris Apodaca, Ph.D (Trustee Area 7) and Dr. Olga Rios, Ph.D (Trustee Area 6) are the most supportive of the board members. Board members are often publicly supportive, but when it comes to action, those...

  Pasadena, California - Eye on Pioneer's Andrew Perry, a newly elected Vice President for AFSCME Council 36, joined an alliance of unions rallying to support striking nurses and medical professionals from UNAC and UHCP.  Other allied unions included United Steelworkers, AFSCME, and the Teamsters. Also supporting was the LA Federation of Labor and the AFL-CIO. The rally was on October 30, 2021.