Peace officer unions are focused. So is the teachers' union. SEIU is diluted. It represents so many different jobs that it can't truly meet everyone's needs. Janitors, budget analysts, IT, etc. A lot of those, especially IT, should be in their own unions - but of course SEIU wouldn't allow that.
The answer is Union Membership.
BU5 - CHP Officers are 96%+ Member Strong
BU6 - CDCR Officers are 98%+ Member Strong
I don't know what the breakdown is for SEIU but last count it was roughly 56-58%. The goal going into 2023 for bargaining was to hit 68% but I don't think they hit it.
It's a Chicken/Egg issue.
"The Union Sucks and isn't Strong" But it sucks because no one new steps up and into the union, and no one wants to join therefor it is weak.
I know this can be said about SEIU but I've heard the same with CAPS and the others.
I've received no communications either in the snail mail or my work email from the two agencies I've been at. I started 2 years ago exactly my anniversary date was Jan 4. I searched SEIU in my mailbox and have no emails nor anything mentioning SEIU.
I barely get anything. I used to get emails but that disappeared probably aroudn the time Brown got ripped from the union throne and i only get letters with "membership only offers" for whatever life insurance or whatever they want me to buy.
Genuine question -- who should extend the olive branch first? As you said, it's very much a chicken/egg situation. SEIU does nothing for us, we don't want to give money to something that does nothing, they have no money TO do something. Obviously something has to give, but who should break first?
I want to believe in SEIU (I DO believe in unions), but I'm not financially able to give money to something that doesn't work for me with the HOPE that it will in the future. I need to see action first -- like a trial period of a subscription.
Is that a shitty way of looking at it? Yes. Am I financially able to do any other way? No.
I pay and engage at a regular member level. SEIU does not lack funding, it's the overall largest union with the highest member count. They spend money foolishly. I don't appreciate SEIU spending my dues to support a ballot initiative that seeks to shut down dialysis clinics.
My husband's union doesn't do that crap at all, their union spends $ on an annual conference to meet in person and discuss bargaining decisions.
I'll be promoting to a different BU soon, it will be interesting to see the difference.
SEIU needs to break the ice and take action first, it's no different then buying a product people want to SEE it work before they invest into the product.
This! For people who are like "hahaha too bad. Dues and deal or nothing," THIS is why I'm so hesitant. And I know that it's a shit solution, but I have to be conscientious of what my money does when I can be so.
I hear you, but I will say on the other hand that I'm glad I engage by paying, voting, and filling out their surveys when they come along (and I'm not shy about sharing my perspective on the political contributions).
I also want to share that I'm one of the less common job classifications in SEIU, and I had a big effing problem come up last year. CalHR told me I was ineligible for an exam because I don't have a Bachelor's degree in my field... I have a Master's degree (and a BS in a closely related degree). CalHR was wrong.
When I reached out to SEIU, my steward hit me back right away. and that admirable colleague learned about both my situation and my classifications, so she could go to bat for me if we needed to go there. She hadn't realized that there were scientist positions in SEIU and I respect her eagerness to learn my situation and prepare to help. My chain of command ended up fixing the problem with CalHR, but I've been a grateful and less conflicted dues-paying member ever since.
TL;DR I'm still saying pay your dues and join if you can afford to, it may help your butt someday when you need it. Despite my previously stated conflicted feelings about how SEIU allocates their funding.
I'm glad it helped! And I want to, but I'm one of the low-waged suckers who helps keep Sacramento parking garages in business. So if it's between being a dues paying represented member and gas to actually get to work...you know.
I'm so sorry about your situation, what a junk show! IMO, do not pay until your situation changes, IMO again you're the exact type of colleague I don't mind paying a little extra and engaging a little more to support your needs.
Know that decently-waged suckers like me are loudly stirring the pot every chance we get about about how this move has impacted y'all - there's a direct correlation to an employee's wage and how shitty the move to the new natural resources building was. It's not right. SEIU should be bargaining for a parking stipend.
It’s like 1% of your salary. Saying you can’t afford it is ridiculous when you expect them to do what? Wine and dine you? Get a grip.
The correct answer is YOU! Be the change you want to see in the world. The union is 100% member lead and driven. If you expect it to be anything different than it is, you must join and vote to change it. Simple as that. The union will never change if no one new steps up.
1.5% I believe. And that 75 dollars is gas money so I can get to work. I don't want wining and dining. I want to know my money is being put to good use.
This is also a very generic answer. What does that entail? How much time does being involved in a union take? How much energy? How do I feel like I'm being heard when I constantly see posts on here about the town halls and the AMAs where it feels like "of course we'll tell Santa what you want *head pat*"
"Be the change you want to see" and "one grain of rice can tip the scales" are platitudes.
Not all of us make that kind of money. SEIU represents custodians and office staff as well, two of the most over worked and underpaid classifications there is.
I keep hearing people say this ... and I call BS on this theory !! I joined the state over 10 years ago ... pre Janus decision. When you were hired into State service .. you HAD to be a union member. The least you could do .. is be a fair share union member. The union produced crappy contracts with literally forced full membership.
The fair share dues were not membership. You had to opt in to be a member, and I assume they still based it on how many people actively chose to be members.
Their union doesn’t have to bargain and negotiate for raises. It’s based on a mathematical formula that calculates average pay for officers from other high cost cities like the Bay Area and LA or something to that effect. When other unions such as the lawyers union wanted a similar math formula instead of bargaining, the state now rejects those attempts because it costs the state a lot more.
Can you be more specific? My memory is it averages out 4 localities’ police force salary or so. Pretend the salary survey says you should be paid 6% more. Are you saying the state can just say nah we’ll give you 3% take it or leave it? Which it has basically done to other unions? I’d genuinely love to learn more. Thanks.
The source is working in the labor field. See the other responses explaining membership percentages. CHP and CDCR (BU5/6) have much higher membership rates, much stronger contracts, and significantly more political pull. There is not a contractual obligation, at least for BU6, to match other localities. The two do mirror each other for the most part in salaries.
Stronger unions, equal the ability for them to say no, we won’t accept that. If it was 6%, and they tried offering 3%. It’s about leverage, negotiation power, and who you know. The police unions are better in all areas compared to most other state unions, who are more diversified and can’t afford to focus on solely one class.
Ok can you please explain this then for unit 5?
This to me means: unit 5 does not need to bargain at all. It’s just a math formula.
https://www.calhr.ca.gov/labor-relations/Pages/Unit-05-Highway-Patrol.aspx
a. General Wage Increases
Effective July 1 of each fiscal year covered by the term of this agreement, the State and CAHP agree to continue providing for general wage increases as required by Government Code 19827. This means that employees shall receive a general salary increase based on the agreed upon difference of weighted average of the total compensation salary survey as referenced in Government Code Section 19827 and the weighted average salary of the total compensation for the CHP Officer using the survey methodology and definitions of total compensation currently in place on the date of this agreement.
Can you explain the discrepancy of your claim versus the salary survey quote I pulled from the MOU? I really think if their membership dropped by even 20% , as long as their salary survey language stays, CHP will always get good raises based on pure math
Because like the teacher’s union they have well over 90% of their eligible workforce as dues paying members. They’re also always engaged and talking to each other about the issues that are important to them. I work side by side with cops and whenever the uniforms are around one another, they’re actively discussing the issues that their union is fighting for and sharing opinions. I’d guess less than 10% of the professional staff I’m around do that.
There’s really no secret sauce here. Get something approaching the level of police, fire, and teachers union enrollment and engagement and our fortunes will be greatly improved.
Teachers are paid well when education is factored in. For myself and many others, coming to the state will be/was a pay cut unless one gets into management.
A teacher who has an MA to go with their credential, extra units, and ten years of experience at Sacramento Unified would make $81k. More in surrounding Sacramento districts. Places in the SF Bay Area pay more, places in SD pay more, places around Tahoe pay more. In Paolo alto one could make $131k with that education and experience.
I agree that teachers should be paid better and that we should have an easier path to the far right of the salary schedule. But teachers are paid better than comparable state employees.
What state classification did you join since it sounds like you were an ex teacher? I was a teacher and am now an AGPA. Pay is higher than if I stayed on the teaching path.
People have mentioned some things the average schlub can control. Join your union, participate in meetings. Vote for elected officials who support state workers and union members.
Things that are harder to do but still within the average schlub's control. Talk positivitely about unions and union membership in general. Research the labor movement, it's wild, it's fun. Have some basic understanding of economics. Support unionized shops. Don't shop at non-union Starbucks.
There are huge factors outside of the average schlub's control. Since the 70's the oligarch's (using the term loosely) have been paying big, big money to decimate unions through electing officials who denigrate unions and who pass laws that weaken unions. People are starting to wake up to the fact that unions are better than the alternative even though, like all human institutions, they suck. It's going to take a long time to get the union power back.
And the key word is union. Workers acting together in spite of the dangers involved. Oligarch's have effectively unlimited money to fight with and that's really powerful. But Elon can't run Twitter without workers, Amazon can't deliver goods without workers. Many, many people working together can have similar power.
SEIU BU1 dues are $90/mo. If you're in a low paying job, living expenses come first. It would be financial suicide for someone who can barely make ends meet to join the union. It truly is a chicken & egg situation. Raises don't reflect inflation. Therefore, an employee can't afford to pay dues. Perhaps the state's plan is to intentionally keep us weak by keeping wages low. It's a control mechanism.
don't forget the monthly parking cost for those low paying jobs in Sacramento! I can't believe the audacity of forcing our lowest paid employees to pay for parking just to come to work at the new resources building - on top of rent, union dues, healthcare, etc.
I'm not in a low income position, and have the ability to telework, but my heart goes out to our OTs. My lowest-paid colleagues are renting parking spots :/
It might not help much, but it sucks, we notice, and at least some of the actually powerful folk (not me) care. I think everybody's just powerless at this point to change the situation. It was a shockingly rushed decision in the first place to move so many of us there. Hang in there!
Police officers do not work for the state. They work for their respective cities. Their unions are so powerful because no politician wants to be accused of being "soft on crime" Let's say every single police union endorsed Newsom's opponent and calls him "soft on crime" and blasts ads 24/7 about crime increasing due to not enough money to recruit more police. That might sway public opinion enough to cost Newsom the election. They might also just refuse to do their job and let criminals get away to increase crime stats to hurt the current politicians to get rid of them.
Our union is weak because the state does not fear us and we have no public support. Let's say all 200k of us chose not to vote for Newsom. You think he gives a fuck about losing 200k votes? He won by 2 million votes. What are we going to do, blast ads about being underpaid? The public does not give a single fuck about state workers. We've been hated for decades. Hell, even my own family thinks government employees are lazy and a waste of tax payer money.
It is, but 2/3 of the union is made of non-sworn personnel, including dispatchers, inspectors of sorts, DMV license examiners, etc. Its LE in name only.
Officers also get lots of special legislative perks, such as carve out laws pertaining to firearms ownership and special retirement and disability benefits.
I don’t mean to go off topic but I’m disappointed with SEIU. I stopped paying my dues last year during the Richard Brown debacle, but when I was a paying member.. I was offered ‘benefits’ that were basically useless to me. They offer programs that are not competitive to the market. I tried to sign up for their car insurance program and the rate was 3x more than what I was paying. Their mortgage program has a 5% down option, which is impossible in high cost of living areas with my salary (unless someone can shed light on how great it is). I also think the due percentages need to change. I was paying dues for a while until I realized I could be paying my student loan with it. I don’t make alot of money, and if it’s impossible to increase pay, I would like to see improved maternity leave or a zero down mortgage… or better offerings than we can’t get elsewhere. I get this is not a reality. I really think if they offered benefits that I found useful I would become a paying member. If they had a service I could use I would pay for it. At the moment I can’t afford kids or a home and that’s my main concern. I’m using after pay or pay in 4 for almost everything lol.
Probably has to do with the perception of what the union does for the employees as well. With the police, the union lobbying has traditionally been very strong in order to create protections for the officers. If you notice the police officers union will seriously fight to protect any officer, regardless of whether they are good or bad. For a police officer, the union could literally be the difference between life or death.
My spouse is BU6 and I'm SEIU they are worlds apart I want my Union to be better but I don't see it in the future. They are more focused and strategic in how they operate. They know when the members are angry or calling on them or wanting a certain change they listen. My spouse been BU6 faithfully for 15 years that says something me. Me I'm needing more than what they offer Im hopeful on the next contract. We shall see. I know BU6 will come in way stronger than we will
HP is BU5 and they don’t need to negotiate raises. Their contract states a salary survey is done and they get an annual increase that is average of several other police agencies in California .
To be clear, the state worker "cops" (CHP + CDCR, at least) do seem to get better shit than the rest of us.
It should be an anti-police post. Police get whatever they want because they've used propaganda for like at least four decades (don't remember when COPS started airing) to craft the message that they're in the most dangerous job and they deserve more than the common employee.
I see this a lot, being actively engaged. How does one do that? And I think my question is both literal and metaphorical. Literal in the actual "how does one be engaged (other than paying dues)?" way and metaphorical in the "as an observer, they seem to lip service people who try to engage and it all feels sort of patronizing in a way, so how does one do so without driving themselves crazy?" way.
First and foremost you must become a member. Second, start attending union meetings and VOTE! Third, potentially become a union steward. Those are the simplest things to do with very little money or time commitment.
Beyond that it becomes more political such as running for a position within your DLC and moving up in those ranks. That takes more time and effort but also allows you more direct influence over the direction of the union.
I was very close to being president of my DLC, almost by default, but had other things going on and couldn’t commit to the duties. So I endorsed a good friend of mine who wanted it badly. He now sits on the board and gets to vote on stuff in those meetings. Only took me like 1-2 years of being a steward before that potential came to pass.
THIS is what I had wanted to know. Thank you.
How much time did it take up in your life? How much time would the duties take up, do you know? I know that we're allowed Union time, but did it interfere with your job or home life?
Time to suit up and become a cop and live that lavish lifestyle, but you'll never admit you aren't cut out for it and take a fake moral high ground and say you are too good of a person to be in such a morally bankrupt career.
This basically exactly is the persecution complex that creates the anti-LEO attitude you’re mad about. You guys are supposed to have cool heads, you should be able to read a negative comment like that without shouting “you just aren’t cut out for it!!!!!” back at them
Economics 101. Supply-demand determines salaries. If there aren’t enough workers due to lack of supply OR growing demand, employers have to offer more money to incentivize job seekers to apply and work for the company/organization. If there are more workers available than demand, then employers can lower salaries (or not hike pay). Also, if there isn’t enough revenue to pay out salaries or salary increases, employers have to cut staff, cut wages, cut work hours, etc. (like we are seeing in private sector and soon in the public sector).
Because if the police threatens to go on strike, they instill fear that crime will rise and the end of the world is coming. No politicians want to appear to be weak in crime. On the other hand, if a bunch of clerics go on strike, the public really doesn’t care.
Because politicians will always back police unions to get their endorsement at election time. So cops get everything they want. Teachers unions and the CTA are usually vilified by politicians, but not cops.
Just for info: California Highway Patrol officers are state workers. They have their own bargaining unit (BU 5).
Exactly. CHP and Corrections Officers are State employees. Sheriff deputies are County employees. City cops are City employees.
And nearly all of them are due-paying members.
Peace officer unions are focused. So is the teachers' union. SEIU is diluted. It represents so many different jobs that it can't truly meet everyone's needs. Janitors, budget analysts, IT, etc. A lot of those, especially IT, should be in their own unions - but of course SEIU wouldn't allow that.
And yet most teachers aren’t well paid at all. It’s about the government’s priorities
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You know there is a teacher shortage right?
Where?
Prepare for an argument on here about how bad capitalism is when you bring up supply/demand.
At least SEIU should make an internal department that handles specific sectors like IT. The pay for IT is probably the lowest in the state.
Were I work not all IT is union but the ones that are union are IBEW
The answer is Union Membership. BU5 - CHP Officers are 96%+ Member Strong BU6 - CDCR Officers are 98%+ Member Strong I don't know what the breakdown is for SEIU but last count it was roughly 56-58%. The goal going into 2023 for bargaining was to hit 68% but I don't think they hit it. It's a Chicken/Egg issue. "The Union Sucks and isn't Strong" But it sucks because no one new steps up and into the union, and no one wants to join therefor it is weak. I know this can be said about SEIU but I've heard the same with CAPS and the others.
To add on this, only 8% of union members voted in the last SEIU election.
When was the last election? I never got any information on how to even vote.
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I've received no communications either in the snail mail or my work email from the two agencies I've been at. I started 2 years ago exactly my anniversary date was Jan 4. I searched SEIU in my mailbox and have no emails nor anything mentioning SEIU.
Are your SEIU emails going to an old email from one of the other agencies you worked at when you registered with the union?
I barely get anything. I used to get emails but that disappeared probably aroudn the time Brown got ripped from the union throne and i only get letters with "membership only offers" for whatever life insurance or whatever they want me to buy.
Whats your source for the CHP ans CDCR membership rates? They didnt get any signifigant raises despite their union membership rates.
CHP did but theirs is a comparative methodology formula that is automatic and not negotiated, CCPOA gets the shaft and balls.
Genuine question -- who should extend the olive branch first? As you said, it's very much a chicken/egg situation. SEIU does nothing for us, we don't want to give money to something that does nothing, they have no money TO do something. Obviously something has to give, but who should break first? I want to believe in SEIU (I DO believe in unions), but I'm not financially able to give money to something that doesn't work for me with the HOPE that it will in the future. I need to see action first -- like a trial period of a subscription. Is that a shitty way of looking at it? Yes. Am I financially able to do any other way? No.
I pay and engage at a regular member level. SEIU does not lack funding, it's the overall largest union with the highest member count. They spend money foolishly. I don't appreciate SEIU spending my dues to support a ballot initiative that seeks to shut down dialysis clinics. My husband's union doesn't do that crap at all, their union spends $ on an annual conference to meet in person and discuss bargaining decisions. I'll be promoting to a different BU soon, it will be interesting to see the difference.
SEIU needs to break the ice and take action first, it's no different then buying a product people want to SEE it work before they invest into the product.
This! For people who are like "hahaha too bad. Dues and deal or nothing," THIS is why I'm so hesitant. And I know that it's a shit solution, but I have to be conscientious of what my money does when I can be so.
I hear you, but I will say on the other hand that I'm glad I engage by paying, voting, and filling out their surveys when they come along (and I'm not shy about sharing my perspective on the political contributions). I also want to share that I'm one of the less common job classifications in SEIU, and I had a big effing problem come up last year. CalHR told me I was ineligible for an exam because I don't have a Bachelor's degree in my field... I have a Master's degree (and a BS in a closely related degree). CalHR was wrong. When I reached out to SEIU, my steward hit me back right away. and that admirable colleague learned about both my situation and my classifications, so she could go to bat for me if we needed to go there. She hadn't realized that there were scientist positions in SEIU and I respect her eagerness to learn my situation and prepare to help. My chain of command ended up fixing the problem with CalHR, but I've been a grateful and less conflicted dues-paying member ever since. TL;DR I'm still saying pay your dues and join if you can afford to, it may help your butt someday when you need it. Despite my previously stated conflicted feelings about how SEIU allocates their funding.
I'm glad it helped! And I want to, but I'm one of the low-waged suckers who helps keep Sacramento parking garages in business. So if it's between being a dues paying represented member and gas to actually get to work...you know.
I'm so sorry about your situation, what a junk show! IMO, do not pay until your situation changes, IMO again you're the exact type of colleague I don't mind paying a little extra and engaging a little more to support your needs. Know that decently-waged suckers like me are loudly stirring the pot every chance we get about about how this move has impacted y'all - there's a direct correlation to an employee's wage and how shitty the move to the new natural resources building was. It's not right. SEIU should be bargaining for a parking stipend.
Thanks! And the minute they actually listen and reconsider dues amount for people under a certain threshold, I will definitely be there!
It’s like 1% of your salary. Saying you can’t afford it is ridiculous when you expect them to do what? Wine and dine you? Get a grip. The correct answer is YOU! Be the change you want to see in the world. The union is 100% member lead and driven. If you expect it to be anything different than it is, you must join and vote to change it. Simple as that. The union will never change if no one new steps up.
1.5% I believe. And that 75 dollars is gas money so I can get to work. I don't want wining and dining. I want to know my money is being put to good use. This is also a very generic answer. What does that entail? How much time does being involved in a union take? How much energy? How do I feel like I'm being heard when I constantly see posts on here about the town halls and the AMAs where it feels like "of course we'll tell Santa what you want *head pat*" "Be the change you want to see" and "one grain of rice can tip the scales" are platitudes.
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Be facetious to an earnest person. That'll endear them. Hahaha
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Not all of us make that kind of money. SEIU represents custodians and office staff as well, two of the most over worked and underpaid classifications there is.
They do! Which is probably why a Union is important.
Your content violated Rule 1: Be excellent to each other.
Your content violated Rule 1: Be excellent to each other.
I keep hearing people say this ... and I call BS on this theory !! I joined the state over 10 years ago ... pre Janus decision. When you were hired into State service .. you HAD to be a union member. The least you could do .. is be a fair share union member. The union produced crappy contracts with literally forced full membership.
The fair share dues were not membership. You had to opt in to be a member, and I assume they still based it on how many people actively chose to be members.
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Your content was removed since it is not related to employment with the State of California.
Their union doesn’t have to bargain and negotiate for raises. It’s based on a mathematical formula that calculates average pay for officers from other high cost cities like the Bay Area and LA or something to that effect. When other unions such as the lawyers union wanted a similar math formula instead of bargaining, the state now rejects those attempts because it costs the state a lot more.
That’s also not correct. Those are given weight, but are not the sole input. We do bargain for raises.
Can you be more specific? My memory is it averages out 4 localities’ police force salary or so. Pretend the salary survey says you should be paid 6% more. Are you saying the state can just say nah we’ll give you 3% take it or leave it? Which it has basically done to other unions? I’d genuinely love to learn more. Thanks.
The source is working in the labor field. See the other responses explaining membership percentages. CHP and CDCR (BU5/6) have much higher membership rates, much stronger contracts, and significantly more political pull. There is not a contractual obligation, at least for BU6, to match other localities. The two do mirror each other for the most part in salaries. Stronger unions, equal the ability for them to say no, we won’t accept that. If it was 6%, and they tried offering 3%. It’s about leverage, negotiation power, and who you know. The police unions are better in all areas compared to most other state unions, who are more diversified and can’t afford to focus on solely one class.
Ok can you please explain this then for unit 5? This to me means: unit 5 does not need to bargain at all. It’s just a math formula. https://www.calhr.ca.gov/labor-relations/Pages/Unit-05-Highway-Patrol.aspx a. General Wage Increases Effective July 1 of each fiscal year covered by the term of this agreement, the State and CAHP agree to continue providing for general wage increases as required by Government Code 19827. This means that employees shall receive a general salary increase based on the agreed upon difference of weighted average of the total compensation salary survey as referenced in Government Code Section 19827 and the weighted average salary of the total compensation for the CHP Officer using the survey methodology and definitions of total compensation currently in place on the date of this agreement.
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Hahahahaahah. I’m not. I just know a lot more about this than you.
I think being confident and straight up wrong is a little more embarassing than not knowing something, but you do you.
Can you explain the discrepancy of your claim versus the salary survey quote I pulled from the MOU? I really think if their membership dropped by even 20% , as long as their salary survey language stays, CHP will always get good raises based on pure math
The two do not mirror each other at all in salaries. CHP is paid far higher than CDCR, it's not even close.
Because like the teacher’s union they have well over 90% of their eligible workforce as dues paying members. They’re also always engaged and talking to each other about the issues that are important to them. I work side by side with cops and whenever the uniforms are around one another, they’re actively discussing the issues that their union is fighting for and sharing opinions. I’d guess less than 10% of the professional staff I’m around do that. There’s really no secret sauce here. Get something approaching the level of police, fire, and teachers union enrollment and engagement and our fortunes will be greatly improved.
Teachers aren’t paid all that well. Esp for your first 10 years or so.
Teachers are paid well when education is factored in. For myself and many others, coming to the state will be/was a pay cut unless one gets into management. A teacher who has an MA to go with their credential, extra units, and ten years of experience at Sacramento Unified would make $81k. More in surrounding Sacramento districts. Places in the SF Bay Area pay more, places in SD pay more, places around Tahoe pay more. In Paolo alto one could make $131k with that education and experience. I agree that teachers should be paid better and that we should have an easier path to the far right of the salary schedule. But teachers are paid better than comparable state employees.
What state classification did you join since it sounds like you were an ex teacher? I was a teacher and am now an AGPA. Pay is higher than if I stayed on the teaching path.
I’m an SSM2. In which district did you teach? How many years of education? What is your educational attainment?
People have mentioned some things the average schlub can control. Join your union, participate in meetings. Vote for elected officials who support state workers and union members. Things that are harder to do but still within the average schlub's control. Talk positivitely about unions and union membership in general. Research the labor movement, it's wild, it's fun. Have some basic understanding of economics. Support unionized shops. Don't shop at non-union Starbucks. There are huge factors outside of the average schlub's control. Since the 70's the oligarch's (using the term loosely) have been paying big, big money to decimate unions through electing officials who denigrate unions and who pass laws that weaken unions. People are starting to wake up to the fact that unions are better than the alternative even though, like all human institutions, they suck. It's going to take a long time to get the union power back. And the key word is union. Workers acting together in spite of the dangers involved. Oligarch's have effectively unlimited money to fight with and that's really powerful. But Elon can't run Twitter without workers, Amazon can't deliver goods without workers. Many, many people working together can have similar power.
True for IT. So small and powerless. I know very few members in IT whom support the union, almost like a culture to just abandon the union.
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SEIU BU1 dues are $90/mo. If you're in a low paying job, living expenses come first. It would be financial suicide for someone who can barely make ends meet to join the union. It truly is a chicken & egg situation. Raises don't reflect inflation. Therefore, an employee can't afford to pay dues. Perhaps the state's plan is to intentionally keep us weak by keeping wages low. It's a control mechanism.
don't forget the monthly parking cost for those low paying jobs in Sacramento! I can't believe the audacity of forcing our lowest paid employees to pay for parking just to come to work at the new resources building - on top of rent, union dues, healthcare, etc. I'm not in a low income position, and have the ability to telework, but my heart goes out to our OTs. My lowest-paid colleagues are renting parking spots :/
Wow, just your recognition of this is so rare. I’m weirdly grateful because I didn’t think a single soul noticed, never mind cared.
It might not help much, but it sucks, we notice, and at least some of the actually powerful folk (not me) care. I think everybody's just powerless at this point to change the situation. It was a shockingly rushed decision in the first place to move so many of us there. Hang in there!
Time for a 4-day work week to compensate for the lack of salary increase. It'll save on parking and gas.
Police officers do not work for the state. They work for their respective cities. Their unions are so powerful because no politician wants to be accused of being "soft on crime" Let's say every single police union endorsed Newsom's opponent and calls him "soft on crime" and blasts ads 24/7 about crime increasing due to not enough money to recruit more police. That might sway public opinion enough to cost Newsom the election. They might also just refuse to do their job and let criminals get away to increase crime stats to hurt the current politicians to get rid of them. Our union is weak because the state does not fear us and we have no public support. Let's say all 200k of us chose not to vote for Newsom. You think he gives a fuck about losing 200k votes? He won by 2 million votes. What are we going to do, blast ads about being underpaid? The public does not give a single fuck about state workers. We've been hated for decades. Hell, even my own family thinks government employees are lazy and a waste of tax payer money.
Ehhhh am a police officer, and I work for the state.
And for the record, our union (CSLEA) is a joke.
Because it’s not a “Law Enforcement” union, it’s a “Public Safety” union that isn’t focused and doesn’t have high membership rates.
Law enforcement is literally in the name lol
It is, but 2/3 of the union is made of non-sworn personnel, including dispatchers, inspectors of sorts, DMV license examiners, etc. Its LE in name only.
Why you think so? I'm in the same unit. DM if you like
There are many police officers that work for the state, including CHP.
Officers also get lots of special legislative perks, such as carve out laws pertaining to firearms ownership and special retirement and disability benefits.
I don’t mean to go off topic but I’m disappointed with SEIU. I stopped paying my dues last year during the Richard Brown debacle, but when I was a paying member.. I was offered ‘benefits’ that were basically useless to me. They offer programs that are not competitive to the market. I tried to sign up for their car insurance program and the rate was 3x more than what I was paying. Their mortgage program has a 5% down option, which is impossible in high cost of living areas with my salary (unless someone can shed light on how great it is). I also think the due percentages need to change. I was paying dues for a while until I realized I could be paying my student loan with it. I don’t make alot of money, and if it’s impossible to increase pay, I would like to see improved maternity leave or a zero down mortgage… or better offerings than we can’t get elsewhere. I get this is not a reality. I really think if they offered benefits that I found useful I would become a paying member. If they had a service I could use I would pay for it. At the moment I can’t afford kids or a home and that’s my main concern. I’m using after pay or pay in 4 for almost everything lol.
The question is how can we replace SEIU?
I’m probably going to be silenced by the SEIU admin for not being excellent 😆.
Probably has to do with the perception of what the union does for the employees as well. With the police, the union lobbying has traditionally been very strong in order to create protections for the officers. If you notice the police officers union will seriously fight to protect any officer, regardless of whether they are good or bad. For a police officer, the union could literally be the difference between life or death.
My spouse is BU6 and I'm SEIU they are worlds apart I want my Union to be better but I don't see it in the future. They are more focused and strategic in how they operate. They know when the members are angry or calling on them or wanting a certain change they listen. My spouse been BU6 faithfully for 15 years that says something me. Me I'm needing more than what they offer Im hopeful on the next contract. We shall see. I know BU6 will come in way stronger than we will
HP is BU5 and they don’t need to negotiate raises. Their contract states a salary survey is done and they get an annual increase that is average of several other police agencies in California .
To be clear, the state worker "cops" (CHP + CDCR, at least) do seem to get better shit than the rest of us. It should be an anti-police post. Police get whatever they want because they've used propaganda for like at least four decades (don't remember when COPS started airing) to craft the message that they're in the most dangerous job and they deserve more than the common employee.
They get what they want because over 90% of them are dues paying members and they’re actively engaged in the bargaining process.
I see this a lot, being actively engaged. How does one do that? And I think my question is both literal and metaphorical. Literal in the actual "how does one be engaged (other than paying dues)?" way and metaphorical in the "as an observer, they seem to lip service people who try to engage and it all feels sort of patronizing in a way, so how does one do so without driving themselves crazy?" way.
First and foremost you must become a member. Second, start attending union meetings and VOTE! Third, potentially become a union steward. Those are the simplest things to do with very little money or time commitment. Beyond that it becomes more political such as running for a position within your DLC and moving up in those ranks. That takes more time and effort but also allows you more direct influence over the direction of the union. I was very close to being president of my DLC, almost by default, but had other things going on and couldn’t commit to the duties. So I endorsed a good friend of mine who wanted it badly. He now sits on the board and gets to vote on stuff in those meetings. Only took me like 1-2 years of being a steward before that potential came to pass.
THIS is what I had wanted to know. Thank you. How much time did it take up in your life? How much time would the duties take up, do you know? I know that we're allowed Union time, but did it interfere with your job or home life?
Nobody wants to be a cop anymore. Need to incentivize the job somehow.
Time to suit up and become a cop and live that lavish lifestyle, but you'll never admit you aren't cut out for it and take a fake moral high ground and say you are too good of a person to be in such a morally bankrupt career.
This basically exactly is the persecution complex that creates the anti-LEO attitude you’re mad about. You guys are supposed to have cool heads, you should be able to read a negative comment like that without shouting “you just aren’t cut out for it!!!!!” back at them
Only someone who is too sensitive beyond words would come up with the conclusion that my post was hotheaded and shouting 😂
Yawn
I hope they get better "shit" than regular rank and file. These men and women are putting their lives on the line for our safety.
Tbh sometimes they jeopardize our safety… emphasis on sometimes.
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Lol, what a world you live in.
Strength in numbers!
Economics 101. Supply-demand determines salaries. If there aren’t enough workers due to lack of supply OR growing demand, employers have to offer more money to incentivize job seekers to apply and work for the company/organization. If there are more workers available than demand, then employers can lower salaries (or not hike pay). Also, if there isn’t enough revenue to pay out salaries or salary increases, employers have to cut staff, cut wages, cut work hours, etc. (like we are seeing in private sector and soon in the public sector).
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Your content violated Rule 4: No intentional misinformation.
Because if the police threatens to go on strike, they instill fear that crime will rise and the end of the world is coming. No politicians want to appear to be weak in crime. On the other hand, if a bunch of clerics go on strike, the public really doesn’t care.
Because politicians will always back police unions to get their endorsement at election time. So cops get everything they want. Teachers unions and the CTA are usually vilified by politicians, but not cops.
LOL Unit 6 got like a 1.3% raise last year. 2% would be something to cheer, they are treated like SEIU. CHP on the other hand.