Compton

After waging a lawsuit for three years, Compton Community College teachers are finally getting more than $350,000 in back pay that was promised them during contract negotiations in 1982.

On Friday, about 380 teachers received the first half of what was supposed to have been an 8.5% raise retroactive to July 1981.

Although college trustees had approved the increase, a spokesman for the college explained, Los Angeles County officials blocked payment of the retroactive portion, raising a number of objections including the fact that sufficient funds were not immediately available. The teachers sued and won a Superior Court decision on Aug. 23.

The final installment--including $60,000 in interest--will be paid a year from now, the spokesman said.