SACRAMENTO – On June 27, 2023, the California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) Board of Directors met at CSLEA headquarters in Sacramento to discuss union business at its second quarter meeting. Business topics included: (in order of presentation)
- Communications Report
- Political and Legislative and Reports
- CFO Financial Report
- CSLEA Finances
- Membership Report
- Legal Defense Fund (LDF) and Legal Representation Committee (LRC) Reports
- Scholarship Committee Report
- Bargaining Update
“This was an opportunity for us to discuss at length with CSLEA directors the process of negotiating for a new contract, the potential timeline, and our progress. Per the terms of our bargaining rules with the State, no specifics about proposals that have been passed were discussed during the meeting. Our directors are as anxious as our members and our negotiations team to reach a tentative agreement, but the process takes time, and is dependent on both sides carefully and thoughtfully responding to proposals and counter proposals,” said CSLEA President Alan Barcelona. “There are many elements to negotiating a new contract and we are all hands on deck.”
Communications Report: CSLEA Communications Director Teri Cox updated directors on CSLEA’s new mobile app, a potential new website, the increased number of members opening CSLEA emails as contract negotiations are underway, communications assistance to CSLEA affiliates, and possibilities being explored with CSLEA’s discounts programs.
Legislative & Political Reports: CSLEA Political Consultant Peter Mitchell updated the board on presidential and congressional candidates and possible scenarios leading up to primary elections and the 2024 general election. He discussed issues impacting voters, including world peace, the economy, crime, affordable housing and homelessness. He expressed that voters are likely to encounter “ballot mania” in the form of propositions and measures.
CSLEA Legislative Consultant Shane LaVigne updated the Board on CSLEA-sponsored, supported and opposed legislation considered at the State Capitol that could impact public safety and public employees, including SB 623, SB 391, AB 93, AB 740, and AB 793. LaVigne discussed in detail, his work in advocating or opposing specific legislation on CSLEA’s behalf. The legislature will break for summer recess on July 14th and reconvene August 14th.
CFO Financial Report: CSLEA CFO Ricardo Sanchez presented his financial report to the board which reflected CSLEA’s budget including operating expenses and informed the board of a future audit which CSLEA has an outside company conduct on a routine basis.
Membership Report: Sanchez reported CSLEA membership numbers and stressed that there are non-members in Bargaining Unit 7 who are benefiting from the year-round work CSLEA does yet not contributing financially to union efforts. He requested directors to reach out to non-members to encourage them to join. CSLEA Chief Counsel Kasey Clark informed directors of the non-members requesting union assistance this month for matters that could cost them their jobs and or careers, and who were denied services due to non-membership. He informed the directors that some state workers are misinformed that a union must represent them whether they are a member or not. Non-members who have questions regarding this matter should contact CSLEA for clarification and accurate information.
Legal Defense Fund (LDF) and Legal Representation Committee (LRC) Reports: CSLEA Chief Counsel Kasey Clark updated CSLEA directors on cases including Janus-related litigation and CSLEA’s well-funded LDF that members contribute just $2 dollars a month to.
Scholarship Committee Report: CSLEA Scholarship Committee Chairman Dr. Kenneth Ehrman reported that committee members are reviewing scholarship applications with the goal of completing the reviews and announcing recipients by mid-August.
“This my favorite time of year, when I can call the recipients or their parents and inform them that they are receiving a CSLEA scholarship,” said Ehrman. “We look forward to awarding eight deserving students a thousand dollars each.”
Bargaining Update: CSLEA Chief Counsel Clark presented to the board an update on the progress and procedure of current contract negotiations, reiterating that pursuant to ground rules at the outset of bargaining, items being negotiated are confidential until an agreement had been reached or an impasse declared. CSLEA and the State have had eight bargaining sessions, with another session scheduled for June 29th. Delays in sessions can happen as State negotiators consider costing data and “big ticket” proposals. Clark informed the board that the previous contract agreement in 2019 was not reached until the end of August.
Additional Comments from CSLEA Directors
CSLEA Director and Association of Deputy Commissioners President Marcus Nenn – “The CSLEA board meeting took place in the shadow of contract talks. Despite our focus on negotiations, CSLEA staff presented on numerous active issues that impact our working lives. Their efforts show how vigilant we need to be on all fronts to protect members throughout the State.”
CSLEA Director and California Alcohol Beverage Control Agents President Sal Martinez – “The board discussed CSLEA’s tactful approach to negotiations and the process of negotiating a new contract. Hang tight, everyone, the board and our negotiations team are working hard to get us the best possible contract.”
CSLEA Director and Association of California Wildlife Officers President Brandon Alisio – “Thank you to all our members, the negotiations team is hard at work and we appreciate your support.”
CSLEA Director and California Association of Fraud Investigators President Paul San Gregorio – “The CSLEA board meeting provided us with pertinent information regarding legislative impacts as well as bills that were proposed and tabled. Additionally, CSLEA Chief Counsel Kasey Clark provided us updates on LDF and LRC. We also received membership updates and updates regarding the ongoing confidential negotiations with CalHR regarding CSLEA’s contract. Future meetings are planned with CalHR to further our position with a favorable contract.”
CSLEA Unit A Vice President and AMVIC President Dr. Kenneth Ehrman – “It is an honor to meet as a collective and advocate for our members.”
CSLEA Director and CACI President George Tiongson – “I’m sure everyone has the contract in mind and I want to assure you all that negotiations are still on-going. Negotiators work to ensure we don’t lose any benefits and attempt to gain strides in all contract proposals we have submitted.”
CSLEA Director and California Association of Food & Drug Investigators President Joel Lambert – “Progress has been made and hopefully we can come to a new contract agreement soon. Thank you to CSLEA Unit-A Vice President Kenny Ehrman for all his assistance through the contract proposal submission process.”
CSLEA Senior Vice President and CHP-PSDA President Tina Brazil – “Our board meeting was very informative on legislative bills that are pro- and negative for public safety and how those bills would affect us all. Membership is continuing to increase as people see how important it is for job security and safety. We are still at the negotiations table, unfortunately any details are confidential until a tentative agreement goes to membership for a vote. This is a term of negotiations that the majority of bargaining units have with the state for numerous reasons.”
CSLEA Director and Fire Marshal Emergency Services Association President BJ Jones – “It’s not an easy job for all of the staff at CSLEA before, during and after all of the negotiations. While we may not always agree, I am always grateful that we do come together and move in a coordinated effort to secure the best contract for all our members. Unfortunately, there is no way the CSLEA BOD and staff can make everyone happy but we do our best.
I encourage all CSLEA members to stay the course. Having legal defense is one of the best reasons to be a member. I equate it to paying for car or home insurance. You may never need it, but when you need someone to help you, especially when you are the focus of potential discipline, representations and LDF is worth every cent!”
CSLEA Director and California Organization of Licensing Registration Examiners President Enrique Razo – “In these times of hardships facing the working class, being represented is essential to achieve our goals. We will not let you down!”
CSLEA Director and State Parks Peace Officers Association of California President Matt Yarbrough – “This is a time of extreme anticipation for a lot of us and I thank you for your patience as the CSLEA negotiations team presses for a contract that will elevate our compensation and benefits and protect us in our work.”
IN CONCLUSION: CSLEA Directors will meet again once a tentative contract agreement has been reached. Directors will vote to accept or decline, if the board votes to accept the tentative agreement, the details will be emailed to membership and placed on the CSLEA website prior to a membership ratification vote.
