SAN DIEGO – On March 23, 2024, the California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) concluded its General Membership Conference with a banquet dinner and awards presentation.

“We had a successful, fun, information-packed conference and Saturday’s dinner was a time for all of us to relax and unwind a little,” said CSLEA President Alan Barcelona.  “We appreciate our affiliate boards who conducted their first quarter board meetings at the conference site, and all in attendance at the conference which included CSLEA and affiliate directors, site representatives and members.”

In recognition of someone who has spent countless hours working on the CSLEA Board of Directors, as an affiliate president, and on behalf of all CSLEA members, CSLEA Senior Vice President Tina Brazil presented the Bernadette Gonzalez Memorial Award to CSLEA Unit-B Vice President and California Association of Regulatory Investigators and Inspectors (CARII) President Tom Ineichen.   Ineichen has demonstrated unwavering commitment to improving salary, benefits and working conditions for members.  Ineichen serves on the CSLEA Political Action Committee, the LDF Board of Trustees, Foundation Committee, and Membership Event Committee.

The Bernadette Gonzalez Memorial Award was created in 2018 in memory of CSLEA Director and California Organization of Licensing Representative Examiners (COLRE) President Bernadette Gonzalez, 51, who passed away on October 26, 2017.  Gonzalez was a selfless person who had an unbeatable drive and energy that was laser-focused on improving the work lives of her colleagues and the middle class.  She spent more than a decade fighting for the rights of workers.

“Tom is very deserving of this award and we are so very appreciative of the time and energy he devotes to our organization and our members.” said Barcelona.

Awards were also presented to CHP-PSDA Directors Steven Fulton and Victor Tovar in recognition of their lead performances in union membership recruitment. “These two leaders recognize our strength in numbers and actively engage employees in Bargaining Unit 7 in conversations about union membership.  We shouldn’t have people riding on the backs of union members who support the work that CSLEA conducts,” said Barcelona.

Barcelona also presented awards to CSLEA Legal Secretary Sherri Elrod for her more than three decades of service and CSLEA Membership Coordinator Rainie Brazil for successfully navigating through the challenging contract ratification process and graciously communicating with members.

Conference recap:

The conference opened with a general membership session in which CSLEA President addressed the group –

• introducing the CSLEA Board of Directors, staff and consultants,
• speaking about the history and accomplishments of unions and why membership counts,
• motivating members to be the best they can be
• reminding members of membership recruitment.

CSLEA Political Consultant Peter Mitchell spoke candidly to members about why there is a CSLEA Political Action Committee, the importance of being seen and heard by legislative leaders, and how candidates receive CSLEA endorsements.  He acknowledged that not everyone is a fan of politics but you can’t win if you are not in the game.

CSLEA Legislative Advocate Shane LaVigne addressed the State budget and delivered an important message to members, stating, “At this point everyone is safe, everyone is good.” In speaking to legislative leaders, LaVigne learned that the current budget deficit is a floating number impacted by IPOs.  “This is really about IPOs,” he said, adding that furloughs would be considered as a last resort.  “It is not in the discussion right now,” he said, “you may see pay checks moved to one day later to address budgeting.”

Following the opening general membership session, several different classes were conducted, including Strategic Communications instructed by CSLEA Unit-A Vice President Dr. Kenneth Ehrman, Basic Site Rep Training instructed by CSLEA attorneys, as well as classes on social security, Cal-Pers retirement and the Cal Savings Program.

Day one of the conference concluded with a CSLEA Affiliate hosted reception so all could relax and enjoy one another’s company.

Day two of the conference included instruction regarding critical incidents and Senate Bill 2, ENDI/NDI benefits, workplace bullying, and an advanced site rep training.

“CSLEA extends a huge thank you to CSLEA Senior Vice President Tina Brazil for almost single-handedly organizing this conference and making it happen,” said President Barcelona.  “She took on this gigantic task and the stress that comes with it and made us all proud.  Tina was actually the very first recipient of our Bernadette Gonzalez Memorial Award back in 2018.  She has devoted an incredible amount of time and energy to CSLEA, her affiliate CHP-PSDA and all of our members.  She has never-ending energy and believes in strength in numbers.”

“CSLEA put on a great member’s conference in San Diego,” said CSLEA Director and ACWO President Trevor Pell. “The information presented was highly informative and will be brought back to all ACWO members. ACWO was proud to attend and represent our members at the conference and Board of Director’s meeting.”