Gardena council recognizes SMART as exclusive representative for GTrans bus operators
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Summary
The Gardena City Council adopted Resolution No. 6713 to establish a separate bus-operator bargaining unit and certify the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART) as the exclusive representative. The decision followed a state mediation card check showing majority support and passed 5-0.
The Gardena City Council on Oct. 14 adopted Resolution No. 6713 to establish a distinct bus-operator bargaining unit for GTrans and certify the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART) as the unit’s exclusive employee representative.
The council’s unanimous vote followed staff confirmation of a petition and a state mediation and conciliation services (SMCS) card check that verified majority support among the affected classifications. City staff said the proposed bus operator unit includes bus operator, relief bus operator and relief bus operator trainee classifications.
James Sandoval, international vice president for SMART, spoke at the meeting and urged the council to approve recognition. “They deserve their own voice through a union,” Sandoval said, adding that the union seeks to negotiate “terms and conditions in a contract” and to maintain a cooperative relationship with the employer.
City staff described the process that led to the vote: SMART filed a severance petition and a request to represent a separate unit. SMCS verified the union had majority support. The Gardena Municipal Employees Association told staff it did not oppose the severance petition. Under the city’s employer–employee relations rules and the Meyers-Milias-Brown Act, staff recommended recognizing SMART as the exclusive representative for the new bus-operator unit.
Mayor Sareta and council members voted 5-0 to adopt the resolution. The council’s action directs staff and the city’s human resources office to implement the unit recognition according to the city’s personnel rules. City staff said the action has no general-fund impact; GTrans capital funds cover related costs.
Council members and SMART representatives expressed congratulations at the vote. Sandoval said he looked forward to negotiating a contract and building a “healthy channel [of] communication” that he said benefits both workers and the community.
Next steps listed by staff include formal recognition paperwork and notifying the state mediation office; any bargaining proposals and future contract votes will be scheduled for later council or meet-and-confer processes.
