Gardena City Council welcomes SMART-TD to represent GTrans Bus Operators

After an eight-month effort, SMART-TD is proud to welcome GTrans Bus Operators in Gardena, California to our union! 
 
Their request for recognition was unanimously approved at the October 14 Gardena City Council meeting. The focus our new members now turns toward negotiating and ratifying a first contract.  

A Marathon, not a Sprint, to Secure New Representation 

Last night’s win was the result of a tireless team effort.  
 
The effort began in February 2025 at a GTrans group meeting with SMART-TD Bus Department Vice President James Sandoval, Alternate Vice President Bus-West Markeisha Haynes, and Organizer Pete Lara.  
 
The process of collecting union authorization (A-cards) from the bus operators began at that meeting. 

At the end of March, the city received a petition, filed by SMART-TD, to decertify the Gardena Municipal Employees Association (GMEA) as the exclusive representative of the bus operator unit. 

This sent a clear message: these men and women wanted to join our union. 
 
By the end of June, with an overwhelming majority of A-Cards presented as proof of support, the petition was granted, and GTrans’ operators were one step closer to gaining the representation they deserve.  

City Leaders Show Strong Support for Workers

During a City Council meeting on Oct. 14, the city leaders weren’t shy about offering their support for GTrans operators to have a voice on the job.  
 
“I’m grateful for the service that you guys do,” said Councilmember Wanda Love. “To see some of the GTrans bus drivers put in 30-plus years is a testament to the work and the labor that you guys do, and I want to see all of you guys reach that mark of 25-30 years. I wholeheartedly support you guys.” 
 
Mayor Tasha Cerda echoed that sentiment.  
 
“I’d like to commend our drivers,” she noted. “You guys have spoken, and we see that this is something that you’re interested in: having your own union here. I’m here to support it as well.” 

Before the vote, VP Sandoval addressed city leaders as the GTrans bus operators in attendance stood behind him in a show of unity and solidarity.  
 
“I’ve gotten to know these drivers over the past year, and I’ve got to tell you firsthand that you’ve got a lot of great people that work here, and I’m really looking forward to working with them,” said VP Sandoval. “This has been a long time coming. This is very important to them. They deserve their own voice through a union. They want to have their own terms and conditions and a contract.” 
 
VP Sandoval pointed out a key feature of SMART-TD that he wanted lawmakers to remember.  
 
“We’re very big on a good working relationship,” he explained. “We’re also very big on a healthy channel of communication, because that not only helps your workers who work for you, but it also transitions over to the communities that you represent.” 
 
Congratulations to the GTrans Bus Operators on joining SMART-TD! We look forward to helping you secure a strong first contract!