Not sure what the California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA)  and your affiliate association are  all about?  CSLEA membership, legal and affiliate representatives conduct new employee orientations year round.  

On February 13, Fire Marshal & Emergency Services Association (FMESA) Vice President Daren Watkins and CSLEA Membership Representative Bernadette Gonzales visited the CAL FIRE Academy in Ione to brief new CAL FIRE communications operators on the services and benefits available to full-dues paying members of CSLEA.    

"CSLEA is the umbrella association," said Watkins.  "FMESA is an affiliate within CSLEA made up of state fire marshals, CAL FIRE com-ops and Cal-OES." 

CSLEA is made up of 18 affiliates which include law enforcement, public safety and consumer protection professionals who work for the State of California such as:  agents, police officers, rangers, wardens, investigators, criminalists,  fire marshals, inspectors, deputy commissioners, emergency dispatchers, emergency management coordinators, firefighters, motor carrier specialists, examiners, licensing reps,  conservationists, and  lifeguards.

"We stay active," said Watkins.  "We have site reps trained around the state.  The way we try to do things within FMESA, I'm all about working with you and not against you.  Call me when you have a question, concern or complaint."    

Asked about the issues Watkins deals with the most, Watkins replied, "Time sheets, proper payment of overtime,  a timely payment of overtime and sick leave usage."       

Watkins also explained the benefits CSLEA members receive.  "Five bucks is what our difference is between fair share and full dues and here's the perks that five bucks buys you; a $15,000 life insurance policy, membership discounts on thousands of items, services, entertainment venues nationwide, immediate contact with an attorney, legal representation, and a legal defense fund.  When you become a state employee you are not automatically placed as a full dues member of CSLEA.  You are placed in as a fair share status, you are not a full dues paying member until you fill out that green card or sign up on-line  at CSLEA.com."

"These are all very important items  that employees new to the state or new to Bargaining Unit 7 need to know, " said CSLEA President Alan Barcelona.  "Not everyone is familiar with the day to day functions of a labor association or why you want to be a part of one.  We become a partner in our members' careers and we want our members to know we are here to meet their needs.  No member should ever hesitate to contact us."