One of our members, Amy W., who works at RJD, recently faced unjust workplace harassment. Amy holds Power of Attorney for her parents, both of whom reside on the East Coast in long-term care. Her father suffers from dementia, and her mother has Alzheimer’s. Due to the four-hour time difference, Amy needed to check her messages during her lunch break to stay informed about their medical conditions.

However, after returning three minutes late from listening to her messages, Amy was given a written warning by her supervisor. This marked the beginning of a pattern of harassment. Her supervisor continued to target her, prohibiting her from working overtime and falsely attributing it to her brief absence. Even when Amy did not go to her car, the harassment persisted. Attempts to resolve the issue directly with her supervisor were unsuccessful.

The situation escalated further when her supervisor began using a stopwatch to time employees and even purchased three-minute egg timers for staff to track themselves. Meanwhile, Amy’s father suffered a fall and broke his leg. Because she could not check her messages earlier, she did not learn about the emergency until 8:00 PM Eastern time and had to call multiple hospitals to locate him.

After enduring weeks of mistreatment, Amy reached out to the union. When her supervisor scheduled what Amy believed to be a disciplinary meeting, Union Representative Rick Guerrero and I intervened. We met with the CEO in an informal setting, where Amy courageously shared her story. The impact was profound—the CEO’s Executive Assistant was moved to tears, and even the CEO became emotional. Recognizing the injustice, the CEO issued a memo granting Amy the necessary time to check her messages during work hours.

Approximately six weeks later, Amy had her annual review and received the highest evaluation of her six-year tenure at the prison. This achievement was made possible not only by her perseverance but also by the steadfast support of her union, which advocated for her and provided the resources she needed to overcome workplace hostility and bullying. With her union standing by her side, she has not only regained confidence but is now thriving. Her supervisor has since given her multiple accolades, and she has been selected to lead a pilot project, further proof of her dedication and the critical role her union played in her success. This case underscores the power of standing up for our members and the difference our union makes in ensuring fair treatment in the workplace.

Membership Meetings:

Mid October: We met with Unit 15 members at Donovan Prison and hosted their first worksite meeting. Ismael Herrera and I discussed the importance of membership and union activism. We listened to the members talk about their daily challenges working at the prison and making low wages. We signed up a new member and we identified a leader who has graduated LAPS in February 2025.

October 29, 2024 – Unit 20 and Unit 15 DBURS had a worksite meeting at Chula Vista Veterans Home, engaging with our day shift members to discuss their workplace issues and challenges. We also had the opportunity to welcome a new member to the union.

October 29, 2024 -Halloween Themed Membership Meeting: We invited members and their children to dress up in costume, enjoy crafts for the kids, and participate in a general membership meeting. We provided updates, spoke about the importance of membership, and highlighted how our union supports its members. Additionally, the member from our recent win shared her story, demonstrating the power of union membership. 

November 27, 2024 – At the Chula Vista Veterans Home, a 24-hour facility, we met with evening shift members and stayed until after midnight to connect with the night shift as well. We provided union updates, engaged in meaningful conversations, and brought food to share with our members. This visit allowed us to meet new employees we hadn’t connected with before, and we were proud to welcome them as new union members.

December 14, 2024 – Holiday Member Appreciation Dinner: Held at the Union office, this event had approximately 170 members and their spouses/significant others in attendance. Executive Board members and some staff contributed money to purchase raffle prizes, including a 55-inch smart TV. Members enjoyed a taqueria cart and a churro cart. We created several selfie stations, including a wall featuring 4% campaign posters. The event emphasized the 4% campaign and the power of membership. 

January 21, 2025 – Meet Your Chairs Membership Meeting: Held at the Union Hall in San Diego, this meeting allowed members to engage with their Chairs and the Chief Negotiator (Unit 1 Susan Rodriguez, Unit 4 Karen Jefferies, Unit 15 Eric Murray, and Unit 17 Vanessa Seastrong) over dinner. Each Chair provided updates on initiatives within their respective units. We emphasized the importance of COPE and Membership and how both contribute to securing a strong contract. We also discussed the 4% campaign.

January 22 – Unit 15 Member Appreciation Lunch: Hosted at the Chula Vista Veterans Home, this event was attended by Unit 15 Chair Eric Murray, Vice Chair Garth Underwood, and DBUR Alfredo Cortez. Eric, Garth, and Alfredo discussed updates for Unit 15 members, COPE, and the importance and power of membership. All three spent time with the members answering their important questions and addressing worksite issues. I brought my laptop, allowing Unit 15 members to sign the 4% petition on the spot. We also signed up 3 new members! 

January 23, 2025 – Correctional Wellness Listening Sessions: We held seven listening sessions beginning at 0800 and the last one ending at 3 PM at Donovan prison, inviting both members and non-members. Attendees were engaged and expressed appreciation for the union taking an interest in their mental, physical, and emotional well-being. Members voiced their gratitude for the union recognizing the challenges they face daily while working in a harsh environment. These were 30-minute listening sessions, but what we noticed was that people did not leave—they stayed longer, eager to share their stories. 

This experience demonstrated how deeply this one meeting/listening session impacted our members. They felt truly seen by the union for the first time, as many feel they work in a forgotten and forsaken workplace where negativity prevails. The union’s presence brought attention to the ongoing issues our members face daily, which no one else seems to understand. Members also shared how these challenges not only affect them but also their families. I continue to receive positive feedback about the sessions, reinforcing how valuable these discussions were to our members. We also signed up 8 new members!

January 21 through 23 – Units 1, 4, 15, and 17 Chairs visited several different worksites in DLC 701. These worksite meetings resulted in new COPE and Membership!

Upcoming Events:

In DLC 701, we’re committed to engaging our members and ensuring their voices are heard. Our Executive Board is stepping up to connect with members in meaningful and enjoyable ways. These events bring us together, celebrate cultural heritage, strengthen solidarity, and helping us grow a stronger, more active union.

• February 27, 2025 – Black History Month Dinner & Movie Night: We will be serving soul food, and members will have the opportunity to watch Shirley, a film depicting the 1972 presidential run of Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to the United States Congress.
• March 27, 2025 – Cesar Chavez Dinner & Movie Night: Members will share in traditional Mexican dishes and watch A Million Miles Away, based on the true story of José Hernández, a Mexican-American astronaut who overcame humble beginnings to reach space.
• May 2025 – API Heritage Month Dinner: We are in the planning stages for an Asian and Pacific Islander heritage event. Details will be forthcoming.