- Important items discussed include CSLEA membership dues adjustment that is consistent with the CSLEA constitution and effective July 2024 pay period
- Guest speaker: Assemblymember Timothy Grayson (D-Concord)
SACRAMENTO – On June 25, 2024, the California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) Board of Directors met at CSLEA headquarters to discuss union business at its second quarter meeting. The agenda included: (in order of presentation)
- Communications Report
- Legislative and Political Reports
- CFO Report
- CSLEA Financials
- CSLEA Membership Dues Adjustment
- Membership Report
- Scholarship Committee Report
- Conference Committee Report
- Legal Defense Fund (LDF) and Legal Representation Committee (LRC) Reports
- Guest Speaker – Assemblymember Timothy Grayson
“This was an opportunity for CSLEA consultants, staff, committee chairs, and chief financial officer to update CSLEA directors on work that has taken place since our last Board meeting in March,” said CSLEA President Alan Barcelona. “It’s a time for questions and answers and sometimes spirited discussions. I thank each of our directors and our consultants who travelled to CSLEA headquarters so that we could all meet in one room. Thank you to our special guest, Assemblymember Grayson, who not only introduced himself to our Board, but thanked our directors and members for their much-appreciated law enforcement, public safety and consumer protection service.”
Communications Report: CSLEA Communications Director Teri Cox updated directors on website activity that included online membership applications, membership discount applications, and number of members who used the website to contact CSLEA, email delivery, communications assistance provided to CSLEA’s 18 affiliates and the CSLEA mobile app.
Legislative & Political Reports: CSLEA Legislative Consultant Jennifer Roe updated the Board on CSLEA-sponsored legislation, climate and education bonds being considered at the State Capitol, as well as issues involving crime, and the November ballot. As it relates to the State’s budget, it was reported the legislature is anticipating a negative financial picture for possibly two years. The legislature will break for summer recess following adjournment July 3rd and reconvene August 5th.
CSLEA Political Consultant Peter Mitchell updated the Board on the upcoming United States presidential election, congressional seats, California’s political scene, including approval ratings, as well as topics that impact voter decision including crime, homelessness, and the economy.
CFO Financial Report: CSLEA CFO Ricardo Sanchez presented his financial report to the board which reflected CSLEA’s budget including operating expenses.
- Dues Adjustment: Sanchez discussed a membership dues adjustment that is consistent with the CSLEA constitution and historically matches the percentage of Bargaining Unit 7 general salary adjustments, in this year’s case a 2 percent increase effective in the July 2024 pay period. The dues adjustment will amount to $1.97 or $2.00 a month based on the 2 percent adjustment of a member’s dues.
“This is consistent with our constitution and assists CSLEA with operating expenses which includes paying our attorneys and staff who conduct our very important union business and assist members on a daily basis,” said Sanchez.
- 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.
Scholarship Committee Report: CSLEA Scholarship Committee Chairman Dr. Kenneth Ehrman reported that committee members are reviewing 25 qualifying scholarship applications with the goal of completing the reviews by July 15th. Once reviews are completed, scores will be tabulated and an announcement of the recipients will be made.
Conference Committee Report: CSLEA Conference Committee Chair Tina Brazil presented the final number of members who attended the General Membership Conference in March. She thanked CSLEA directors and staff who assisted with planning and set-up.
Legal Defense Fund (LDF) and Legal Representation Committee (LRC) Reports: CSLEA Chief Counsel Kasey Clark updated CSLEA directors on LRC cases which included a settlement agreement with CalHR and Exposition Park management following a grievance. He updated the board on discussions regarding telework stipends and possible future side letters. He also advised that LDF trustees are considering whether to authorize a legal challenge to POST’s decertification of a Lottery Investigator’s license based on an audit of his background investigation.
Guest Speaker: Assemblymember Timothy Grayson (D-Concord) greeted CSLEA directors, presented some background information on his work and why he became a California legislator. He highlighted his successful legislation that allows first responders to confidentially debrief with trained support professionals without putting their careers at risk. He acknowledged that first responders encounter and see some horrific things that can impact their physical and mental health. He thanked CSLEA directors and members for their work. “This is not an easy time to be a first responder, especially in California,” said Grayson.
Comments from CSLEA Directors Upon Meeting Adjournment:
CSLEA Director and ACE President Bryan Slade: “ACE continues to support all efforts and endeavors to expand membership and was happy to support today’s actions to do just that.”
CSLEA Director and ASA-DOJ President Ben Greenhagen: “It’s always good coming together to discuss important issues that impact our members.”
CSLEA Director and CACI President George Tiongson: “To all who participated in the U.S. Police and Fire Games, thanks for competing. Please look forward to your CACI Board nominations and voting for your Board directors. I encourage all to get involved and nominate for CACI Board directors. Also, look for our upcoming two-day CACI conference in November 2025.”
CSLEA Director and COLRE President Enrique Razo: “I want to thank CSLEA Communications Director Teri Cox for her significant support of our great organization. Her professional experience makes CSLEA and its affiliates come to life. I encourage our DMV examiner members to send Teri information detailing your experience as a DMV examiner so she can place an article on the CSLEA website highlighting our work and the challenges we encounter as we contribute to safety on our roads.”
CSLEA Director and CAFDI President Joel Lambert: “The legislative updates were informative. It is important to know what issues our organization is involved in.”
CSLEA Director and FMESA President BJ Jones: “Following process is important for those who serve on the CSLEA Board of Directors. I appreciated the spirited discussion and the patience displayed yesterday on the various topics discussed. In the end, every director was allowed to express their opinion, if they chose to, and voted according to their understanding on the topics. We may not agree on everything, but process was followed and as a board, decisions were made. Being a board member is not always fun work but it is important work at the end of the day.”
CSLEA Director and SPPOAC President Matt Yarbrough: There is so much work that goes into protecting our rights, our salaries, our jobs and our pensions. Receiving quarterly updates and discussing issues that impact our members, the union and the work it does to elevate and protect, is hugely important.”
