Summary
City workers represented by AFSCME packed the chamber asking for raises better than the offered 1%, saying Pasadena has become a training ground as employees leave for higher-paying cities. They highlighted their work through windstorms, COVID and the Eaton Fire.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 5
- Last 30 days
- 0
Last discussed Aug 27, 2026.
Impact analysis
The cost of a fair AFSCME settlement is not yet stated; the union rejects the current 1% offer.
City workers would gain competitive wages and benefits; residents benefit from retained skilled staff.
Workers say they struggle to make ends meet; residents risk service degradation from turnover.
Mentions & discussions (4)
City Council Meeting: (Audio Description) - Aug 27, 2026
A representative of about 300 ASME-represented city workers — who do sewage, streets, parks, and jail work — asked the council for fair wages, noting a recent 9% raise for another unit amounts to less than $3 an hour for average ASME members.
City Council Meeting: (Audio Description) - Jul 13, 2026
City workers represented by AFSCME packed the chamber asking for raises better than the offered 1%, saying Pasadena has become a training ground as employees leave for higher-paying cities. They highlighted their work through windstorms, COVID and the Eaton Fire.
City Council Meeting: - Jul 13, 2026
City mechanics and maintenance workers, represented by AFSCME, told the council they're offered a 1% raise while costs of living rise 3%, and that mechanics are stretched at roughly 100 pieces of equipment each. They warned the city is a training ground that loses workers to better-paying cities.
City Council Meeting: - Jan 26, 2026
The city's vacancy rate dropped to 7.9% from 9.7%, and HR highlighted onboarding improvements, local hiring, and a Gallup engagement survey. Councilmembers want a career-development path for all 2,300 employees and better park safety specialist coverage.
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