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Negotiations

Labor Negotiations

Negotiations Update: July 24, 2026

Torrance Unified School District (TUSD) and the Torrance Teachers Association (TTA) met for a full-day bargaining session to continue negotiations toward a successor collective bargaining agreement. The session resulted in significant progress, including three tentative agreements, while the parties continued productive discussions on several remaining articles.

Tentative Agreements Reached
The District and TTA are pleased to announce that the parties reached Tentative Agreements (TAs) on the following contract articles:

  • Article IX – Assignments, Reassignments, and Transfers
  • Article XIX – Grievance Procedure
  • Article XX – Summer School Employment

These tentative agreements reflect the collaborative work of both bargaining teams and represent meaningful progress toward a successor collective bargaining agreement. As with all tentative agreements, these provisions are subject to inclusion in a complete successor agreement and ratification by both parties.

Temporary Employees
The parties engaged in an extensive discussion regarding temporary certificated employees. TUSD shared that Human Resources has undertaken a comprehensive review of temporary positions to ensure compliance with California Education Code and has already converted numerous positions from temporary to permanent where appropriate. The District explained that temporary status is determined by the nature of the assignment not the funding source and offered to meet separately with TTA leadership to review the District's analysis and the process being implemented. TTA also expressed concerns regarding long-term temporary employees, particularly in Adult Education. Both parties agreed to continue these discussions.

Adjunct Duties
The parties continued discussions regarding adjunct duties. TTA presented revisions concerning the selection process for certain voluntary assignments and compensation for additional responsibilities performed outside the instructional day. The District discussed operational considerations, and the parties agreed to continue working toward mutually acceptable language.

Discipline
The bargaining teams devoted a substantial portion of the session to discussing the discipline article. Topics included progressive discipline, consistency in disciplinary practices, employee response timelines, investigatory procedures, Notices of Unprofessional Conduct (NUCs), grievance procedures, and suspension appeals.
While the parties identified areas of common interest, substantive differences remain regarding management discretion, disciplinary procedures, and grievance rights. Negotiations on this article will continue during future bargaining sessions.

Special Education
The District presented its counterproposal regarding the Special Education article. The parties exchanged initial comments and agreed that additional discussion will be necessary as negotiations continue.

Compensation and Benefits
The parties continued negotiations regarding compensation and employee benefits.

TUSD's current proposal includes:

  • A 3% ongoing salary increase for bargaining unit members.
  • A $13,700 annual District contribution toward employee benefits, which would fully cover the cost of single-employee enrollment in the District's EPO medical plan, Dental HMO, Vision coverage, and Basic Life Insurance, with an estimated employee cost of $15.37 per month out of pocket.

In response, TTA submitted a counterproposal that includes:

  • A 4% ongoing salary increase;
  • A $14,500 increase related to benefits; and
  • Consideration of implementing benefit changes through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) while overall negotiations continue.

During the bargaining session, TTA advised the District that its compensation and benefits counterproposal represents its "best, last, and final" offer. The District acknowledged TTA's position and advised that it will carefully evaluate the proposal before providing a response at a future bargaining session. No tentative agreement was reached on compensation or benefits during this session.

Looking Ahead
The parties concluded the session by scheduling an additional bargaining session in September 11, 2026 to continue negotiations on the remaining open articles.

District Commitment
Torrance Unified School District appreciates the continued professionalism and collaborative engagement demonstrated by both bargaining teams. The District remains committed to negotiating in good faith and working toward a fair, fiscally responsible agreement that supports our employees while maintaining the District's long-term financial stability and commitment to providing exceptional educational opportunities for all students.

Agreed & Signed
Article IX Assignments, Reassignments, and Transfers

Article XX Summer School Employment Procedures
Article XIX Grievance

Torrance Unified remains committed to a negotiation process that is thoughtful, transparent, and student-centered, while also supporting staff and maintaining effective school operations.

Negotiation Timeline:

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