Bellflower : 33 Unionized City Workers Get Salary Increases of 3%

The Bellflower City Council has approved 3% retroactive cost-of-living pay increases for 33 maintenance, animal control and parking enforcement officers represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3745.

Some employees also received an additional 2.5% based on a survey comparing Bellflower salaries with those for comparable jobs in other cities. These employees include tree trimmers and public works lead men. The raises are retroactive to July 1.

The council earlier approved 3% across-the-board raises for 50 full-time employees and between 150 and 200 part-time workers. The council also said it would raise salaries for all employees an additional 2% in January if city revenues are sufficient.

But Linda Lowry, assistant city manager, said the raises probably will not be granted because sales tax revenue is expected to be $500,000 below the $4.5 million estimated by the city. “Retail sales tax is directly related to the economy. . . . We didn’t think we’d stay depressed so long,” she said.