“Thank you to CHP Commissioner Amanda Ray for taking not only the time, but such a personal and special interest in our CSLEA members who work at CHP to keep Californians and visitors to our state safe. Clearly, CSLEA and the Commissioner have many of the same goals in mind and work is already in progress to address salary, recruitment and working conditions. We look forward to our continued and combined efforts to improvements.” – CSLEA President Alan Barcelona
SACRAMENTO – On July 13, 2022, California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) President Alan Barcelona met with CHP Commissioner Amanda Ray via Zoom to communicate CSLEA’s commitment to working with CHP to improve the salary, recruitment, and working conditions of the CHP professionals that CSLEA represents including motor carrier specialists, and public safety dispatchers and operators. Also in attendance was CSLEA Senior Counsel Andrea Perez.
“The Commissioner is aware of our issues and what better way to tackle them than working together on solutions. Both the Commissioner and I value the work and commitment of our members and are pressing for changes for the better,” said President Barcelona. “Two organizations are stronger than one and together, I see us making strides toward accomplishments.”
Commissioner Ray emphasized the department’s extreme appreciation for the hard work of its employees assigned to Bargaining Unit 7 (CSLEA – AMCOS, and CHP-PSDA) and communicated that CHP has already begun taking steps to reach joint goals. In addition, Commissioner Ray and her chiefs have been travelling throughout the state to meet with employees to discuss their various issues.
CHP reported to CSLEA that it has submitted an Employee Compensation Request consistent with CalHR policy 1715 in an effort to address several classifications.
In addition, CHP has created a video platform that allows MCS’s in particular to share the details of the position in order to encourage recruiting. The Department increased its recruitment budget and has already begun focusing on several classifications. The Department is also working on increasing the frequency of testing and streamlining the process. For dispatchers in particular, the department is working on improving the training process, so that less employees are lost during the training process.
“The Commissioner and I recognize the important public safety work that our CSLEA members conduct, day in and day out, often times at the sacrifice of their own families and personal time and we want to be sure they are compensated and treated accordingly,” said President Barcelona. “I extend great appreciation to Commissioner Ray for meeting with us and for her contribution to making our sought-after goals a reality.”
“On behalf of AMCOS, I would like to express my sincerest appreciation to Alan Barcelona, Commissioner Ray, and all those involved, who have met and shared our concerns,” said AMCOS President Cesar Bustos. “I can only hope this meeting will yield good things for our members. I am sanguine about the outcomes for our classifications within AMCOS. Having Mr. Barcelona, Commissioner Ray, and AMCOS on the same page is crucial for our successful careers. More importantly, this close relationship will benefit the motoring public that trek our roads and highways. This correlation greatly contributes to the Mission of the California Highway Patrol, which is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security. Again, my profuse thanks to all involved.”
“Thank you to Commissioner Ray for meeting with our union president and on issues that directly impact CHP dispatchers and operators,” said CHP-PSDA President Tina Brazil. “I have confidence that recognizing the need for improved salaries and recruitment and retention, CSLEA President Barcelona and CHP Commissioner Ray will be able to accomplish our common goals to assist our understaffed communication centers and in doing so, improve public safety.”
