SACRAMENTO – On June  24, 2020, the California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) Board of Directors conducted its first teleconference board meeting in the history of the union.

"We prefer getting to together and sitting around the conference table in one room, but given COVID-19, in the interest of good health, we made the decision to conduct our meeting via teleconference," said CSLEA President Alan Barcelona.  "Thank you to our CSLEA directors for joining us from their homes and offices as we discussed important CSLEA business including the side letter to our contract."

After much discussion and learning item by item the negotiated material in the proposed side letter to the Bargaining Unit 7 contract, the CSLEA Board of Directors voted unanimously to authorize it. (CSLEA Board of Directors Authorizes Side Letter on Mandated Pay Reductions)

"Given the totality of the situation and the mandatory pay cuts, I believe CSLEA did the very best that it could in negotiating the terms of this side letter," said Barcelona.  "No one wants a decrease in pay and we worked to minimize that.  Even in this huge downturn, we enhanced portions of our contract."

"The CSLEA Board reviewed the terms of the side letters negotiated between the CSLEA Negotiations Team and CalHR.  I would like to congratulate the Team with the excellent terms they obtained in the midst of one of the most devastating economic times in recent history," said California Association of Fraud Investigators (CAFI) President Bruce Todd.  "No jobs were lost and significant action was taken to lessen the impact of the mandated cost savings on our members.  Impressively, the Team also negotiated a positive agreement for the DSH Hospital Police Officers, DDS Peace Officer I’s, and the DMV LRE’s – as well as getting other benefits.  In the post-Janus era, these accomplishments are quite impressive and should not be derided.  I sincerely hope that the non-members realize the danger they put all their co-workers in by not joining and supporting CSLEA.  We are stronger as a unified whole. I encourage all to become members to help CSLEA continue as one of the most effective unions in California."

"I applaud CSLEA on their efforts to come to a feasible agreement. Our members are currently working in the field, regardless of the current circumstances, and will see minimal impact on their paychecks," said California Association of Food and Drug Investigators (CAFDI) Vice President Joel Lambert.  Lambert attended the latter half of the board meeting on behalf of CAFDI President Nicole Zugsmith.

"The negotiating committee did an outstanding job of protecting our contract, minimizing the impact of this massive budget problem and solving some pressing problems in this side letter. Bravo!" said Association of Criminalists, Department of Justice (AC-DOJ) President John Miller.

"It is with extreme pleasure that I'm informing licensing registration examiners of the great achievement that we at CSLEA have accomplished," said California Organization of Licensing Registration Examiners (COLRE) President Enrique Razo.  "Today, we proved that through hard work anything is possible.  Never in the history of our organization has COLRE gained a 5.74 percent increase in a special salary adjustment.  I would like to thank President Barcelona, the vice presidents, legal counsel, COLRE board, and most importantly the LREs who get in and out of the vehicles on a daily basis."

"Great job to the negotiation team on the side letter with the Governor's office and CalHR," said California Association of Criminal Investigators (CACI) President George Tiongson.  "I know it was a difficult situation to be in, created by the most improbably pandemic, but you guys made the most of it. I'm glad to be back amongst CSLEA directors to continue the work that CSLEA does to improve and work for the best benefits for our members.  I'm proud to be a member and now the CSLEA Director representing CACI."

In addition to the side letter, directors were informed of success in working with departments to reclassify CSLB enforcement representatives to special investigators.

"To reclassify during this time of economic hardship is a big deal," said California Association of Regulatory Investigators and Inspectors (CARII) President Tom Ineichen.

Directors received updates from Chief Financial Officer Ricardo Sanchez, Chief Counsel Kasey Clark, Communications Director Teri Cox, Legislative Advocate Shane LaVigne and Political Consultant Peter Mitchell.

LaVigne and Mitchell thanked CSLEA members for their service and spoke of the civil unrest climate and its possible future impacts on law enforcement policy, as well as updating directors on legislation, initiatives and the election in November.

Directors were also informed that the CSLEA Foundation Scholarship Program is currently on hold pending donations to the non-profit fund.

CSLEA informed directors of his attendance at a recent PORAC board meeting and expressed his gratitude for a strong working relationship with the PORAC executive board and how that benefits CSLEA membership.

CSLEA directors are currently holding board meetings three times a year and will meet again before the end of the year.