Pay for Torrance Employees in Gulf

The city of Torrance will pay its employees called to active military duty because of the Gulf War the difference between their military pay and their city salary, the City Council decided Tuesday in a unanimous vote.

The city, which has eight employees who are members of the Army or Marine Corps reserves, will provide the pay differential for 12 months. The city also will continue health and dental benefits to the employee’s dependents for up to 12 months, and the employee will be able to earn vacation benefits while on military leave.

Two police employees have notified the city that they may be called to active duty, but no employees have actually left for the Gulf War, said Kathy Keane, assistant to the city manager. She said the city has no way of estimating how much the new guidelines will cost.

Public employees called to active duty must be paid full salary for only the first 30 days of their military leaves, according to federal guidelines. After that period, they are assured of only the income paid by the federal government.