Chapter 37 - Old Account

02/05/2026

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

Follow us on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61586842119471&mibextid=wwXIfr&mibextid=wwXIfr

And Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/csea37.santabarbara?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

12/19/2025

🚨 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.

12/18/2025

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

11/26/2025

Apply for CSEA's Organizing Institute!

This event teaches one-on-one communication skills, how to recruit and develop key leaders to campaigns and how to run issue campaigns. This is an interactive training with roleplaying and activities.

Application closes Friday December 5, 2025.

The 2026 Organizing Institute will be held March 16-20, 2026. Learn more at csea.com/oi

11/26/2025

At CSEA, your family is part of our union family too! The Dependent Scholarship is now open for graduating high school seniors, community college students, college/university students and trade/vocational students. CSEA offers $1,000 scholarships to dependents and spouses of CSEA members, helping many continue their education after high school. Apply now at csea.com/scholarship!

11/25/2025

Celebrate the holiday season with festive entertainment and delicious treats at discounted winter attractions. CSEA members can save on park tickets at discounted prices, so book your next holiday adventure! Visit csea.com/winter.

11/12/2025

Tomorrow! Come hang out and connect with members 🙌🏼

11/12/2025

Newsletter is complete! It will be available quarterly, and sent out in February, May, August, and November😊

10/24/2025

Attention all chapter 37 site reps!

There will be some mini-competitions throughout the year. Here’s our first one:

For a chance to win a $20 Amazon gift card and be featured in our November Newsletter follow these steps:

-Check for an email from [email protected]
-Go to your CSEA Bulletin Board at your site
-Make sure there is contact information, and at least one flyer(chapter meeting, Social hour, Member Benefits Fair etc)
-Take a selfie with the board in the background
-Email back to the thread as Reply All

First one to submit is the winner!

10/22/2025

CSEA offers a wide range of education services to members and their families, including $160,000 per year in scholarships and grants.

10/18/2025

Nominations being accepted now! Reach out to your site rep or any executive board member if interested in attending 😊

Registration opens November 3rd and will most likely sell out fast!
Here are some examples of the 30+ workshops offered:

Overcoming Burnout - If you're feeling overwhelmed by the pressures of everyday work and home life, then this workshop focusing on burnout issues will help you bring your life back into balance.

Protect Your Paycheck, Protect Your Family - This presentation aims to educate members on income protection as well as other benefit options.

Understanding Credit - Join SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, Financial Education Specialist to discuss what credit is, best practices to help you utilize credit wisely.

Response Interruption/Intervention (RIR): Decreasing Interfering Behaviors in the Classroom -This training session will cover response interruption/redirection (RIR), an evidence-based strategy aimed at mitigating interfering behaviors, such as stereotypical or self-injurious actions.

Becoming a Communication Wizard:
Body Language and Verbal Strategies for De-escalation, Fostering Trust, and Building Rapport - This presentation delves into the concrete application of body language and verbal tactics to improve interpersonal communication. Attendees will learn how to interpret common body language signals--both conscious and unconscious--and use posture and gestures to reinforce verbal messages.

Business Etiquette - This class will include an interactive discussion on the do's and don't of business etiquette, including email etiquette.

CaPERS Power of Attorney - Every CSEA member who is also a CaPERS member needs to have the Power of Attorney form on file with CaPERS to protect your pension benefits. Learn how to complete the form page by page and send it in to CaPERS in this class.

CaPERS Service Credit Purchasing - This training will show you how to purchase Service Credits towards your pension. It will also cover how to add any retirement you may have withdrawn back toward your retirement and the Social Security implications for working without making contributions to Social Security and the impacts.

Cross-Cultural Sensitivity in the Workplace -This in-depth course touches on unconscious biases and aggressions that we may commit, or experience, in the workforce, while also presenting solutions to help avoid these situations in the first place.

KnowYour Rights-Join usto learn more about your rights onthe job and what you cando to protect yourself and your fellow members during potential labor violations.

Maintaining Mental Wellness: 5 Strategies for Paraeducators - In this interactive workshop, paraeducators will explore five essential daily strategies to maintain mental wellness while gaining a deeper understanding of stress, burnout, and compassion fatigue.

Money Management and Savings-This training from SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union will discuss the importance of setting goals and using a budget as a way to achieve those goals.