The California State Association of Electrical Workers (CSAEW) Conference took place on February 26-28, 2024, in Sacramento, CA. This informative three-day conference included an overview of our priority legislative bills that would benefit both IBEW members and the communities they serve, followed by a full day of lobbying lawmakers to urge them to vote “Yes” on these priority bills. The 1245 delegation included President Cecilia De la Torre and Vice President Willis Garris, Staffers Hunter Stern, Rene Cruz-Martinez, and Charlotte Stevens, and Organizing Stewards Steve Ross, Erica Davalos-Cruz, John Hoang, and Nilda Holguin.
Labor warrior and Assemblymember Liz Ortega addressed the conference attendees with a spirited speech about safety and her ongoing support for labor. We also heard from a number of other notable leaders, including Superintendent Tony Thurmond, State Treasurer Fiona Ma, and Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins.
IBEW delegates with Senator Toni Atkins
Lobbyist Scott Wetch explained the details of the legislative bills, and with our marching orders, the staff and organizing stewards lobbied both Senators and Assemblymembers. Our priorities included NEM reform subsidies, and the need for well-crafted fixed charge so that every investor-owned utility residential electric customer pays their fair share, including rooftop solar customers. This experience provided our organizing stewards with the unique opportunity to increase their depth of knowledge, and then immediately apply that knowledge with a direct action.
IBEW delegates with Assemblymember Liz Ortega
“The best part of the conference would have to be when we went to the Capitol offices and spoke with the representatives. All of them were very aware of who we were and understood the need for the bills we want to help pass,” said Organizing Steward Erica Davalos-Cruz. “The most difficult part would have been speaking about such bills … but with the help of my fellow union members going into these meetings with us, we were able to piggy-back off each other, and it made it seem easy.”
We also reminded legislators that we will continue to oppose SB 284 if it attempts to return. Before leaving their office, we left a flyer and invited members to the Utility Worker Day of Action on March 13.
–Charlotte Stevens, IBEW 1245 Staff Organizer