• CSLEA welcomes 92 new members in January
• Congratulates top-earning 2022 sponsors
• Reminds members, $100 is theirs when they sponsor the membership of any Bargaining Unit 7 non-member
• CSLEA New Employee Orientations with LREs, Dispatchers, Ranger-Cadets and ESC
• Why union membership is so important

CSLEA welcomes 92 new members in January

SACRAMENTO – Recognizing that joining their union is a very important step in their careers with the State of California, 92 state employees assigned to Bargaining Unit 7 became members of the California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) in January 2023.

“Joining the union that represents you takes thoughtful consideration and these 92 new members recognize the importance and value of supporting the union that supports them,” said CSLEA President Alan Barcelona.  “We offer many benefits and services, including a $15,000 basic life insurance benefit. A benefit I particularly think is extremely valuable is being able to contact a CSLEA labor attorney with any questions or concerns related to work, not a labor rep but a labor attorney.  Should something unexpected happen at work that requires an attorney, our members already have a team of attorneys on hand and at the ready.   In addition, CSLEA has a $2.4 million proven legal defense fund that our members have access to should they face criminal or civil matters as a result of their job duties and responsibilities. Our attorneys also provide legal representation for administrative investigations, interviews and State Personnel Board hearings and appeals.  Nobody expects to need any of this, but it’s good to know you have all of this if the unexpected happens.”

Congratulates top-earning 2022 sponsors

In addition to welcoming its newest members, CSLEA also thanks its great group of membership sponsors who inform their colleagues about CSLEA and assist them in signing up for membership.  Any CSLEA member can be a sponsor and earn hundreds of dollars a year!

CSLEA’s top four sponsors in 2022 can tell you how easy and rewarding sponsoring new members can be! They earned the following:

1.  $1300
2.  $1300
3.  $900
4.  $700

Simply put, if your colleagues are not union members, they're missing out on

• representation,
• benefits,
• special rate insurance coverage,
• a free basic $15,000 life insurance benefit,
• travel & entertainment discounts,
• scholarship opportunities,
• career and workplace guidance from CSLEA attorneys
• ratification votes on contracts,
• input on negotiations,
• knowing they are doing their part to strengthen the working class, and to protect pensions and benefits,
• plus, any new to Unit 7 CSLEA member has access to a $50,000 Guarantee Issue Voluntary Term Life Insurance plan. The premium is based strictly on age. By applying within 90 days of their hire date in a Unit 7 position, they may enroll up to a $50,000 Voluntary Term Life Insurance (Spouse may enroll up to $25,000 and dependent children $10,000), with no Evidence of Insurability required (medical history questionnaire not required nor is a lab analysis required).

How sponsorship works

How simple is it for you to earn $100.00 for each non-member you encourage to sign up?

1. Direct them to CSLEA’s membership application: JOIN CSLEA
2. Instruct them to put YOUR name as their SPONSOR on the membership application
3. CSLEA does the rest, by sending you a “thank you” check for $100 for each non-member who joined CSLEA thanks to your encouragement!*

Any CSLEA member can be a sponsor, including CSLEA board members, affiliate directors and site representatives.  Questions about membership, dues, benefits & services, or our sponsorship program? Contact CSLEA Membership Coordinator Rainie Brazil at RBrazil@CSLEA.com.

*This offer excludes individuals who sign up for membership at formal CSLEA new employee orientations (NEOs). Sponsors of Seasonal Lifeguard employees are eligible for $50.00 per sign up.

CSLEA January 2023 New Employee Orientations with LREs, CHP Public Safety Dispatchers, Ranger Cadets and ESC

In January 2023, CSLEA attorneys and representatives conducted five new employee orientations to introduce CSLEA to new Department Motor Vehicles (DMV) licensing registration examiners, California Highway Patrol (CHP) public safety dispatchers, State Parks ranger cadets and Cal Recycle emergency services coordinator.

New employee orientations give CSLEA attorneys and union representatives an opportunity to introduce themselves, answer questions about the union, and explain benefits and services along with the need for them.  It also helps to put faces to names and helps new members feel welcome from the very beginning of their union membership.

Why union membership is so important!

While CSLEA union members concentrate on their very important state law enforcement, public safety and consumer protection work, CSLEA directors, affiliate directors, attorneys and staff are working to protect and improve working conditions, jobs, salaries, benefits and pensions.  In addition, CSLEA attorneys provide representation for situations such as adverse action, medical separations and administrative investigations.

Here is an example of some of the items CSLEA worked on in 2022 for its members:

• successfully bargained for a $1,500 pandemic-related bonus for all employees in Bargaining Unit 7,
• successfully maintained a $2.4 million Legal Defense Fund (LDF) that members contribute just $2.00 a month to,
• provided immediate legal assistance to CSLEA members at OIS scene in Chico,
• provided immediate response to union members’ requests for LDF assistance following on-the-job critical incidents,
• worked with DCA management to hammer out a compromise regarding Telework agreements,
• entered into agreement with DDS regarding compensation owed to peace officer-I staff at PDC,
• met with Department of Justice, Office of Human Resources to discuss a proposed pilot program which would add three Special Investigators (SIs) into selected units within DOJ,
• obtained complete rescission of an Adverse Action for a member,
• negotiated numerous disciplinary reductions for members,
• filed successful constructive medical separations for members,
• represented members in Administrative Investigations,
• awarded eight $1,000 scholarships to members’ children (with additional scholarships awarded by CSLEA affiliates),
• CSLEA supported, and the governor signed- Assembly Bill 1751 which extends workers’ compensation provisions relating to COVID-19 injuries until January 1, 2025 for critical workers, including members of law enforcement,
• CSLEA sponsored Senate Bill 284– which the legislature passed, however the governor vetoed.  SB 284 would have extended PTSD presumption to active firefighters at DSH, DSS, Military Department and the Department of Veterans Affairs. It also would have extended the presumption to DSH and DDS police officers as well as security officers of the Department of Justice.  The bill would also have made that provision applicable to public safety dispatchers, public safety telecommunicators, and emergency response communication employees,
• met with DMV Investigations Chief Michel for discussion on telework and alternate work week schedules,
• addressed excessive heat concerns by LREs in Gardena,
• met with CHP Commissioner to discuss improvements to salary, recruitment and working conditions,
• won geographic transfer of DSS investigator,
• participated in joint labor management meetings,
• met with CDI to revisit in-office work policy,
• met with State Lands Commission regarding telework,
• conducted site representation classes to inform members of their rights,
• met with members in various job classifications to discuss concerns,

and each of CSLEA’s 18 affiliates have their own success stories reaching out and helping members with meetings to resolve issues, scholarship programs, assistance with memorial services, and orientations.

CSLEA values each and every one of its members and strives to achieve the best for them.