President Alan Barcelona thanks members for their commitment to union membership and the working class

SAN DIEGO – California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA)President Alan Barcelona was up front and center at the opening meeting that kicked off CSLEA’s 2024 General Membership Conference in San Diego March 22-23, 2024. 

“We started the conference with a very-well attended general membership session where I had the opportunity to shake hands with our valued members, site reps, and affiliate board members, and touch base on the history and importance of unions in our lives,” said Barcelona.  “I hope those in attendance got to know me and our union a little better and will speak to their non-union co-workers about all that we do to support the elevation of our salaries and benefits and the protection of our pensions.”

CSLEA Political Consultant Peter Mitchell, always a crowd favorite, broke down the importance of having a political action committee and having like-minded candidates in office to further achieve union goals, all of which takes money he added.

Some of the best news that members heard came from CSLEA’s Legislative Advocate Shane LaVigne who addressed State budget concerns.  “At this point everyone is safe, everyone is good,” said LaVigne.  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.

President Barcelona thanked CSLEA Senior Vice President Tina Brazil for nearly single handedly organizing the conference. 

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