CSEA’s 94th Annual “Virtual” Conference Wrap Up
CSEA’s 94th Annual Conference is officially a wrap. It concluded Tuesday evening with the final order of business: installation of officers. The Conference was attended by a record-breaking number of 3,694 total delegates, member visitors, VIPs, and other guests to our historical first ever virtual conference.
This year’s event was transformative on many levels, including how many people and chapters attended. More than 400 chapters were represented with 1,717 registered delegates and 1,977 member visitors and guests. Attendees were able to connect in ways they had never have before, welcoming more members than ever before and expanding CSEA’s impact. When you add the member-visitors who registered and were able to view the many education days workshops, presentations, and virtual dealers room, there were 3,694 total conference attendees — a new record!
Chapter 262 delegate Beverly Heasley said she thought “the conference pre-recorded sessions were excellent, and I highly recommend that members of our chapter take a moment to view them. CSEA put a lot of effort into creating a beneficial conference experience and many components were well produced and informative.”
Of course, the main reason for Conference was to vote on resolutions and adopt a budget. This year’s conference had a record low number of resolutions with only six, and two of those were withdrawn, so the resolution discussions and voting we went relatively quickly. The Association’s general and restricted budgets were also passed with very few questions or debate, and no controversy — another conference first.
Resolution Recap
Voting for resolutions at the 94th Annual Conference was very short. In less than two hours, all resolutions were introduced, discussed, and voted upon. Two resolutions were withdrawn, one was referred back to committee for introduction at next year’s conference, and one resolution was passed and will be adopted.
Resolution No. 1: Defeated
Voting Rights for CSEA Honor Roll Members
Resolution No. 2: Adopted
Protecting Classified Employee Rights in a Merit System Election
This resolution will now go to CSEA Government Relations department, which will begin authoring a bill and finding California legislators who will be willing to co-author the bill and bring it before the California State legislature. This process can take anywhere between one to two years.
Resolution No. 3: Defeated
Amending Policy 623 Chapter Release Time Program
Resolution No. 4: Motion referred back to committee for next year's conference.
Student Centered Funding Formula
This was the Chapter 262 resolution. The good news is the resolution was not defeated or create much controversy. In fact, the delegates believed this resolution was too important to debate in the virtual environment, so it was referred back to committee, which means it will be reintroduced at next year’s conference. This gives our Chapter an opportunity to make revisions or to let it stand as is. We will not have to go through another ratification process in our Chapter.
Resolution No. 5: Withdrawn
Revisions to Standing Rules for Association Officer Nomination Speeches
Resolution No. 7: Withdrawn
Reinstatement of the Legal Department Update and the Quarterly Law Newsletter.
The Rumor Mill Strikes Again!
Once again, rumors have been circulating that your CSEA leadership wants to put to rest. These rumors deal with furloughs and lay-offs and with returning to campus. Whatever rumors you might have heard, Chapter 262 leadership asks you to ignore them.
Rumors are sometimes fun speculations that create interesting conversations. Rumors can also create fear and stress. Your Chapter 262 leadership has always vowed to keep members informed with accurate, current information. Chapter leadership also encourages and welcomes questions from the members about anything, especially relating to employment issues. If you hear a rumor, please do not repeat it. Ask a Chapter 262 leader (always listed at the end of each newsletter and found on the Chapter 262 web site) for an explanation.
Recently, there have been rumors circulating about the District laying off classified employees or about to impose furloughs. If you have heard these rumors, ignore them, and please do not repeat them. The only result will be unnecessary stress and anxiety about a false rumor.
Let’s put this rest. Furloughs or lay-offs cannot “just happen” because CSEA has the legal right to negotiate any District decision to lay-off or furlough any unit member. There has been ZERO discussion about this. Furthermore, Education Code requires a “lack of work” or “lack of funds” to justify a lay-off. Mt. SAC has neither a lack of funds or, certainly, a lack of work.
Given our current economic climate, the turmoil created by the pandemic, and the news stories of millions applying for unemployment, worrying about lay-offs at Mt. SAC is understandable, but rest assured if any such discussion were taking place, your Chapter leadership would be mobilizing you immediately to protect the essential work of all CSEA 262 unit members.
And remember that no classified employee in CSEA Chapter 262 has been laid off or furloughed in more than twenty years. That is a track record that is absolutely not a rumor.
Organizing Unions Up in U.S. So Is Employer Retaliation
The global pandemic has created countless changes in our everyday lives, especially for the working class. We have all had to make adjustments to our routines, especially the way we work for those of us lucky enough to not face layoffs and cutbacks as seen in the private sector.
Public education in California has been mostly spared the anguish of laying off entire staffs of employees or closing down schools and colleges. A good amount of credit for this is due to public sector unions. We can thank CSEA for its efforts to protect our jobs, salaries, and benefits.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Statistics, in 2019 the union membership rate of public-sector workers (33.6 percent) was more than five times higher than private-sector workers (6.2 percent). Union workers are also paid better. Nonunion workers had median weekly earnings that were only 81 percent of earnings for workers who were union members ($892 versus $1,095).
We are the lucky ones.
The CSEA Chapter 262 office and Chapter meeting space circa 2004. Pictured are CSEA Labor Relations Representatives who came to Mt. SAC and help organize our membership. Membership grew from around 50 to 75 in 2003 (about 20%) to more than 90% today with more than 500 members.
For private-sector employees, joining a union is not always easy and often results in employer retaliation. Being terminated is not uncommon when employees attempt to organize.
According to the Economic Policy Institute, a study conducted in December 2019 showed that twenty percent of union election campaigns in the U.S. result in allegations that employers unlawfully terminated workers for “union activity.” Since the pandemic forced closures across the country, millions of Americans remain unemployed, and the stakes for union organizing have risen dramatically.
“What we’ve been seeing under COVID are the same dynamics and same tactics as always, except with everything intensified,” said Gordon Laufer, Professor at the University of Oregon Labor Education and Research Center. “There’s both greater intensity in wanting to organize and more intense fear of employer retaliation.”
Fortunately for California school employees who have signed on with CSEA as their exclusive representative, we have a union that not only helps us protect our jobs at the local level with labor relations and negotiations, but the CSEA Legislative Department that helps write and lobby for laws that protect our jobs, our benefits, and our rights.
A Message from Your CSEA President
Ben Valdepena, President California School Employees Association
Dear fellow brothers and sisters,
These are certainly times where it can feel like things are out of your control, but one way to take control is through voting. This November, you will have the chance to participate in an election that is hugely consequential in many ways. Your vote is your voice in choosing who sits on your school board, who represents you in Sacramento and who leads this nation. You have the power to decide your own fate, but you only have that power if you vote. If you are not registered to vote, please register today by visiting https://covr.sos.ca.gov. Remember, you will need to re-register if you have moved or changed your name.
Not only is your voice critical for the upcoming election, but also as you continue to work tirelessly on the frontlines for the school districts, students, families and staff you represent every day. Your dedication since the crisis began in mid-March has been honorable. Your work has been vital to continue providing critical services that the 6.5 million California students and their families need now more than ever. The impact of your reach can be felt far and wide. In fact, classified employees are more essential than ever for our schools to operate safely and effectively.
As you prepare for the coming school year, remember that because of you, schools cannot safely and effectively reopen, whether it be in-person or virtual! Your hard work may often be behind the scenes but know I am proud to represent you and sing and share your praises. Be sure to take this weekend to remember that you are important, you matter and, most of all, you need to take care of yourself in order to ensure the safety and success of others!
Ben Valdepeña
Association President
CALIFORNIA SCHOOL EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION
Financial Resources for CSEA Members
CSEA knows many members and their families, like many Americans nationwide, are facing financial difficulties due to the coronavirus pandemic. There are, however, various financial resources that may be of assistance during this time. Many of these benefits, while needed now more than ever, have been in place for years and will continue to be once the current crisis is over.
Union Plus Free Budget and Credit Counseling — Includes a complete financial review, assistance with budgeting, advice on how to deal with creditors, and more.
Union Plus Hardship Help — Offers a medical bill negotiating service, Save my Home hotline, job loss and hospital bill grants for Union Plus Credit Card holders, and mortgage assistance for Union Plus Mortgage customers.
CSEA Approved Credit Unions — Credit Unions are nonprofit and member-focused, just like CSEA. Already a member of a credit union? Be sure to contact them to see what they are offering their members. CSEA approved credit unions include First Financial Credit Union, Provident Credit Union, and SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union. All three offer accounts and services for members and their family members statewide. Importantly, you may be eligible, and they may offer special services during this unprecedented time, including mortgage payment relief, temporary payment reductions on loans, late fee waivers, and so on. Check with your credit union to find out what is available and if you are eligible.
Highlights: Provident has a $300 new account bonus. SchoolsFirst FCU offers a $500 no-interest, no credit-check "uniform" loan. First Financial has a concierge level auto buying service.
Wisely® Direct by ADP® — Are you paying fees to cash your payroll check? Pocket more of your paycheck. You can have your payroll check deposited onto this Mastercard™ branded debit card with direct deposit for no cost. Do you already have a bank account? Order the card and have a portion of your payroll check deposited to it to save for summer, holidays, or other savings goals. To order a card, go to www.MyWisely.com/partner and use referral code WSeNcBhE.
CSEA Assistance Fund — This fund has provided financial and emergency assistance to members for many years. It relies solely on donations and donations are tax-deductible. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact CSEA Member Benefits at (866) ITS-CSEA (487-2732) or email humanitarian@csea.com.
CSEA Free College Programs — CSEA members and their family members can earn an Associate degree and/or complete their Bachelor degree for no out-of-pocket costs for tuition, books, or fees. Take classes for personal enrichment, professional growth, or earn a degree. Thousands of CSEA members and their family members are enrolled and taking advantage of this benefit that is offered in partnership with the AFL-CIO's Union Plus benefit program.
CSEA Legal Referral — Members receive off-the-job legal referral and information. You are entitled to a free legal consultation with an attorney in CSEA's legal department. Simple legal questions or problems may be resolved over the phone. If the problem requires further assistance of an attorney, the legal referral attorney may be able to provide a local attorney who will provide a free consultation and may also provide a discount. Call 800-632-2128, ext. 1274.
SISC is offering classified professionals a new health benefit — Vida Health. Vida gives you access to a personal health coach or therapist at no cost to you. Vida’s coaches and therapists can help you lose weight, cope with depression or anxiety, manage stress, prevent diabetes, and much more.
With Vida, members set goals and see real results. Members who work on stress typically reduce their stress by 50% after 6 months. For weight loss, Vida members lose an average of 5-7% of their body weight. And many of those working to manage chronic health conditions are able to reduce or eliminate medications.
Here’s what to expect when you sign up:
Choose your personal health coach or therapist. Vida health coaches include registered dietitians, certified diabetes educators, licensed therapists, and other specially trained health experts.
Your coach will work with you to create a personalized plan to help prevent diabetes, lose weight, manage stress, and more.
Talk to your health coach each week by phone or video. You pick the time that’s convenient for you. Plus, you can send messages to your coach anytime using the secure Vida app.
Track your progress through connected devices. You can connect Apple Health or other smart devices — likes scales and blood sugar meters — directly to the Vida app. Plus, you may qualify for a complimentary Fitbit activity tracker or smart scale when you sign up.
You can learn more about Vida at www.vida.com/sisc.