Quick links+
The City of Norwalk, Calif., is a “connected community,” according to its city slogan. City management appears to have a major connection problem with its own workforce represented by the IAM Union.
More than 500 city employees in this incorporated town within Los Angeles County find themselves in a precarious situation as the end of their current collective bargaining agreement nears in June. Progress toward a new agreement is stalled by what Jennifer Friesen, a former Norwalk City worker who now serves as an IAM District 947 Business Representative, calls union busting tactics.
“The city continues to engage in union busting tactics,” said Friesen. “Tactics that are not only illegal, but also deeply disrespectful to public servants that keep this city running day in and day out. These are workers that have committed years and often decades of their lives serving this community”.
Friesen spoke to the Norwalk City Council on April 15 to respectfully represent the interests of the IAM members. The mayor also made a statement, “Let’s start off on a high note,” when calling up a representative of a community partner after reviewing the speaker cards which consisted of only the three speakers, two of whom were IAM members. For the speakers before and after Friesen, most council members and city managers graciously applauded. For Friesen and another IAM member who spoke, there was no applause from the council or city managers but much applause from the audience, and the mayor quickly adjourned the entire meeting without a motion and without comment or questions about their workforce’s concerns.
The IAM represents City of Norwalk public safety officers, public works employees, transit system workers, city social services employees, recreation, and administrative staff.
The iconic Interstate 5, which spans the West Coast, cuts directly through Norwalk—a reminder of the city’s central role in regional infrastructure. Yet, union members say they are encountering “my way or the highway” management tactics when raising even minor concerns.
According to one employee, who wished to remain anonymous, the city manager defended the decision to place management in a separate, more comprehensive insurance bracket, claiming it was warranted due to the “higher stress” faced by administrative staff. This stance has caused frustration among frontline workers, particularly those engaged in labor-intensive duties.
These same employees were recently recognized in a city-produced video for completing 45 lane miles of road improvements, adding ADA-compliant ramps and crossings, and organizing eight citywide cleanup events in 2024. Their physically demanding work requires them to remain in strong health—yet rising insurance premiums are increasingly shifting financial responsibility onto them, raising equity concerns within the workforce.
A primary concern raised by employees is the persistent issue of understaffing across multiple departments. While the city currently lists only five job openings, many teams continue to operate below necessary staffing levels. According to union representative Friesen, the city manager has acknowledged the situation, noting an intent to leave certain positions vacant indefinitely.
This shortage has placed significant strain on existing staff, with some employees required to work overtime for City events or remain on extended after-hours on-call duty—sometimes for weeks at a time. These on-call requirements severely limit personal time and restrict mobility, even on weekends.
Additionally, the City’s increasing reliance on contracting out bargaining unit work to external vendors—rather than investing in internal hires—has become a serious concern for the union. Not only does this practice raise questions about long-term workforce sustainability and fair labor practices, but it also contributes to the weakening of Norwalk’s local economy by outsourcing good-paying union jobs that would otherwise support workers and families within the community.
“It’s about respect, dignity, and justice on the job for our members,” said IAM Western Territory Special Representative Ashley Gunckel. “What our members have built up over many years of collective bargaining is being dismantled by men who see us as obstacles to their quotas, not partners in a professional relationship to benefit both sides.”
Local 1957 President Mike Armendariz also spoke at the April 15 Council Meeting.
“Most of our members are more than city employees,” said Armendariz. “We are your neighbors. We live here. We support local businesses. Send our kids to Norwalk schools and invest in the well being of Norwalk every single day, both on and off duty.”
Of the union’s proposals to settle the stalemate, the city has ignored over 70% of the proposals and/or requests for information. The city hired employment law firm; Liebert, Cassidy, and Whitmore (LCW) to deal with negotiations. Even a request for information about the cost of the contract between LCW and the city was met with a diversion to file a freedom of information request through the city clerk’s office.
“Respect and honesty cost virtually nothing,” said IAM Western Territory General Vice President Robert “Bobby” Martinez. “To see the city of Norwalk treating our members with indifference is disheartening and disgusting. Our Local 1957 members won’t back down. Together, with solidarity, we will succeed in denying this union busting campaign, and we will be stronger for that effort.”
Maybe city leaders should take note of the other major highway in Norwalk, Interstate 105, Century Freeway. Much like the city’s attempts to use union busting against the IAM, it’s a dead end at Studebaker.
See Local 1957 members stand up here.
