Gardena Council Approves First GTrans Union Contract

The Gardena City Council unanimously approved the first collective bargaining agreement for GTrans bus operators on October 27, 2026, following a year-long labor campaign and negotiations over wages, workplace protections and workers’ compensation benefits.

The contract resulted from a year-long union campaign led by the SMART Transportation Division, part of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART-TD).

The union represents operators serving Gardena and surrounding communities in Los Angeles County.

The council’s approval followed an overwhelming ratification vote by union members. The precise number of council votes was not specified in the union’s account, although the decision was unanimous.

Contract Terms and Employee Benefits

The approved agreement runs for two years and establishes the operators’ first collectively negotiated employment contract with the city.

Specific wage increase percentages, the contract’s effective date and its implementation schedule have not been publicly detailed in the confirmed reporting. Operators had sought improvements to wages, employment protections and benefits during negotiations.

A central outcome was the preservation of the existing 85% workers’ compensation benefit tier for current GTrans operators, maintaining parity with other City of Gardena employees.

Gardena’s initial proposal would have placed operators’ workplace injury benefits below the standard provided to other municipal employees.

August Dispute Shaped Final Agreement

After operators overwhelmingly rejected an initial tentative agreement in August 2026, they mobilized at the August 25 City Council meeting to oppose proposed reductions in workers’ compensation benefits.

Union negotiators continued pressing for benefit parity after members rejected the tentative agreement.

Negotiations continued following the August mobilization, leading to the revised agreement that members subsequently ratified and the council approved in October. The sequence reflected the operators’ refusal to accept reduced injury benefits as part of their first union contract.

Mayor Cerda Welcomes Union Agreement

Gardena Mayor Tasha Cerda addressed council members immediately before the October 27 vote, acknowledging the significance of reaching an agreement with the newly organized workforce.

“This is a big deal, and I’m glad we are at this point where we’re able to vote on this,” Cerda said. “They just formed this new union, and I’m happy that we’ve come to this.”

James Sandoval, SMART-TD Bus Department Vice President, credited union members’ solidarity and community support with helping secure the agreement after prolonged negotiations.

Sandoval’s assessment highlighted the role of collective action in the bargaining process, particularly after operators rejected the earlier proposal and publicly challenged the proposed benefit reductions.

Significance for Gardena Transit Workers

The contract gives GTrans operators their first formal collective bargaining agreement after organizing under SMART-TD.

The decision also establishes the outcome of the city’s dispute with operators over workplace injury coverage: current employees retain the same workers’ compensation benefit level available to other Gardena municipal workers.