Chapter 37 - Old Account

Hello folks!
We have a new page for CSEA Santa Barbara Chapter 37 😊

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🚨 Negotiations Update – Standing Up for Workers’ Rights 🚨

CSEA recently met with the District for the first round of negotiations, and several troubling issues came to the surface.

🔹 Working Out of Class – Fair Pay Matters

For years, employees have stepped up and performed higher-level duties to keep the District running—often for extended periods and with clear documentation. Yet the District continues to limit back pay to only one year, relying on its interpretation of administrative regulations.

Let’s be clear: California Education Code allows for up to THREE YEARS of back pay for working out of class.

Even if the District believes it can legally limit compensation, we must ask:
➡️ Where is the fairness?
➡️ Where is the integrity?
➡️ Where is the respect for workers who were relied upon and benefited the District?

This is not just a legal issue—it is a moral one. Our members’ labor should not be discounted simply because time has passed.

🔹 CSEA Rights & Union Access Under Attack

Equally concerning is the District’s recent stance on CSEA’s access to its own members.

For decades, CSEA has communicated openly with employees during the workday—conducting outreach, answering questions, and supporting members. This has never been disruptive, and in fact, the District was largely unaware of these practices because they did not interfere with operations.

Now, suddenly, the District claims this long-standing practice violates the contract and has attempted to restrict CSEA’s ability to meet with members.

Let’s call this what it looks like: an anti-union shift.

When a District works to limit communication between employees and their union, it raises serious concerns about transparency, employee voice, and workers’ rights. We have to ask—why now? What changed? And why is the District choosing restriction over collaboration?

CSEA will not stand by while access to our members is reduced and long-standing, respectful practices are undone.

✊ We are fighting for:
• Fair compensation for work already performed
• Clear protections against exploitation
• The right of workers to communicate freely with their union

This fight is about dignity, respect, and fairness. We will continue to push back against policies that silence workers and devalue their contributions.

Solidarity matters. Stay engaged.

Holiday event was a success! Thank you SB Woodfire Pizza and Captain Fatty’s!