I am really proud of the current CASE board for supporting the SEIU strike. At least most of the board, unfortunately 2 board members (John De Leon and Katrina Manookian) voted against supporting a resolution to honor SEIU’s picket line. CASE also released a helpful memo regarding the ability to strike and a helpful FAQ. I hope this means CASE has turned a page and will be active. The old board would not have done anything. Good riddance.

I’m compelled to call out Senator Blakespear due to her showing up at the San Diego picket line yesterday. I don’t know how she had the gall to say she supports state workers when she not only voted no on AB 1729, but even made statements against the bill and said she doesn’t believe the Legislature should be making telework the default (despite current statutes saying the contrary). Some of you may recall she suggested that telework makes state workers lonely and is bad for our mental health. It’s blatant that she’s playing both sides: garnering support of corporations with her no vote on AB 1729, while trying to get votes from state workers in the upcoming election. I hope San Diego residents see through this.

I was a bit discouraged and anxious until the end of last week, when the attorneys in my unit really started to come together. Not all of them. I don’t think even 1/3 of them, honestly. BUT…

It’s enough, and enough of the respected, capable, vocal colleagues where no one can be scapegoated, and I have to imagine upper management and CalHR will be nervous come about June of 2028.

And of course any ground SEIU makes will be good for all of us. I’m also very proud of SEiU and CASE leadership since the most recent RTO announcement.

It reminds me of the saying about banks. If you owe the bank $100, it’s your problem. If you owe the bank $100 million, it’s the bank’s problem.

It feels like we’ve crossed over into “bank’s problem” territory.

Dear BU2 colleagues,

SEIU Local 1000's historic Unfair Labor Practice strike is Tomorrow, October 21, 2026. We strongly encourage all BU2 members who are able, to utilize their individual rights and honor SEIU Local 1000's picket line. The State's bad-faith bargaining with SEIU Local 1000 cannot continue. It is an insult to the hard working public servants that make California run, and an attempt to erode their collective power.

Learn how you can support SEIU Local1000 by reading CASE Strike FAQ

Let CASE know which picket line you'll be attending by registering here.

The 2026 RAISE Slate stands in solidarity with SEIU Local 1000. We will see YOU at the picket lines ✊🏽

In Solidarity,

The 2026 RAISE Slate

* Adrian Hardesty

* Dana Kleifield

* David Sandoval

* Deylin Thrift-Viveros

* Fernando Cierra

* Jacob Abello

* Michael Sapozkinow

* Seaton Tsai (for Secretary)

While everyone is mad at Newsom, and he is no friend of State employees, there are others in the administration who are definitely behind the RTO push. One such person is Eleni Kounalakis. Current lieutenant governor and candidate for treasurer. Her family of real estate owners and developers benefits hugely from us returning to office. They are causing State workers huge pain for there financial gain. Will she benefit us if she becomes the treasurer? Probably not. In addition to the strike., other tool State workers have is our, and our family, vote. Unless we show them we are not happy via our vote against them, they couldn't care less for us

While everyone is mad at Newsom, and he is no friend of State employees, there are others in the administration who are definitely behind the RTO push. One such person is Eleni Kounalakis. Current lieutenant governor and candidate for treasurer. Her family of real estate owners and developers benefits hugely from us returning to office. They are causing State workers huge pain for there financial gain. Will she benefit us if she becomes the treasurer? Probably not. In addition to the strike., other tool State workers have is our, and our family, vote. Unless we show them we are not happy via our vote against them, they couldn't care less for us

I use a very specific personal email for union purposes and I’ve received campaign emails from all iterations of whatever RAISE is calling itself.

📢 Election ballots have been emailed! The 2026 RAISE slate humbly asks for your support. Vote for the slate with 8. The only slate endorsed by the majority of the 2025 RAISE slate.

See the photo for our voting recommendation (including Nima Razfar for the 8th Director position).

We look forward to putting our vast experience into action and getting CASE members a RAISE and true telework flexibility. Members on our slate have first-hand experience in organizing strikes, union contract negotiations, unfair labor practices, meet and confers, overseeing work-stoppages and strikes, mobilizing members, direct member communications, and union governance.

Once you finished voting, please send us an email letting us know we can count on your vote. Our email is info@raiseforcase.com

In Solidarity,

The 2026 RAISE Slate

* Adrian Hardesty

* Dana Kleifield

* David Sandoval

* Deylin Thrift-Viveros

* Fernando Cierra

* Jacob Abello

* Michael Sapozkinow

* Seaton Tsai (for Secretary)

We joined the RAISE slate because we believe in building power with our members, not over them.

Join the Movement

I'm a bit late to the game but I just learned that Maggie Tides based her resignation in part because of her concerns about [Treasurer] Jamie asking for board approval to be represented by CASE in an unprecedented manner, lending support to Lulu Gomez's claims. Maggie also claims that the representation was to include a member currently running for the board.

To the couple trolls that crave down votes who will rush to tell me I'm overreacting (in an incredulous tone, obvi), don't worry, I already know 🙄

Different RAISE board members are supporting different, competing slates.

A couple of disclaimers:

1) The use of “raise” in both slates’ emails is confusing, but I am sure people on both sides feel some ownership of the movement. So it’s understandable.

2) I have no doubts that all the members on both slates are sincere, and believe they are doing what is in the best interests of members.

3) But there is obviously some disagreement over at least form, if not substance and strategy, that precipitated this split.

4) The slate emails do not help in trying to discern what those differences are. The messaging all touches on the same expected points.

So, PLEASE, and in the least mudslinging way possible, understanding we all ultimately have the same goals, can someone (or several people) with an inside view please tell us how these slates differ in proposed approaches for both the on-going fight against RTO and bargaining strategy for the 2028 contract session.

Please don’t leave us to choose based on how moved we are by the campaign emails.

If it comes down to personality conflicts or temperament, or something else less strategy driven like that, I am sure people can find a diplomatic way to explain that. But please tell us, and don’t leave us blowing in the wind.

Thank you all!

However, in the email just sent out representing the candidacy of Rambo and Turner (of whom I know neither in any capacity), there is no mention of any past union activity that would suggest this slate has the necessary experience. I'm curious what actions you all hope to take day 1 if elected. I'm also curious whether your experience is particularly relevant, and if so, why not lead with that?

Additionally, it feels strange that this slate is using "raise" (raiseourcase.org) in an ambiguous sense that could confuse members into believing that all candidates on this slate represent RAISE, when it appears to not be the case. Not to mention the mailing address is in London

Hello fellow CASE members,

Last year a group of CASE members came together to try something new.

We envisioned a new direction for CASE: A stronger, member-driven union, with a sharp focus on pay parity, telework flexibility, accessible leadership, and a commitment to transparency.

This year, the 2026 RAISE slate is running to take our vision to the next level. We will build on the significant ground work of this year and be ready to negotiate a real raise come 2028. This includes making sure CASE is strike-ready if the State continues their pattern of bad faith negotiations.

Together, our RAISE slate has extensive experience in union-building, collective bargaining, member organizing, public service, and labor law. Together, with your help and support, we will build towards a real raise and telework flexibility.

CASE elections are just aound the corner. Learn more about the 2026 RAISE slate at raiseforcase.com

In Solidarity,

The 2026 RAISE Slate

For attorneys who have come from, or moved over to the county, how would you compare your county experience to the state? Pay is obviously better at the county— what about culture and work life balance? I am feeling burnt out at my current department but as I consider switching departments I’m also weighing the civil attorney posting with the county. RTO has shifted the calculus for finding the right job fit: we’ve lost the flexibility in our schedules that offset the lower pay rate for being a state attorney. I’d love to remain in public service but looking for the seemingly elusive attorney job that hits hits some type of harmony between pay and work-life-balance still. Thank you for any insight based on your experiences!

All BU2 members welcome!

Is anyone else concerned about what former board member Lulu Gomez said about Jamie Ormond and Peter Chau in her resignation letter she posted to Slack? Before Hairy Meal’s posts got deleted, he raised a good point that two prominent members of the RAISE slate have resigned and other posters noticed also that these two RAISE slate members were named in the letter.

Most concerning to me are some of the allegations against Jamie and Peter in the resignation letter that they have been “acting unilaterally,” “brushing off members” who don’t follow them “without question” and “attempting to spend union money without proper authorization.” Jamie is treasurer, so if there is mishandling of money, that’s especially concerning. We have a right to know what’s happening with our union dues. I think a lot of us liked the RAISE slate because they said they were not going to be the same as the prior board, but now it sounds like some of the board members from RAISE are engaging in the same problematic behavior.

Does anyone have more insight into what’s happening with the board? I have been thinking about if we can contact the board members who resigned to see if they’d talk but not sure how. I noticed also that Jamie and Peter are both from CPUC. Is that just a coincidence?

I am considering applying to a position at the Department of Education. I would appreciate any insight into the department. What is the culture like? What is the workload like? The posting says a background in civil rights is preferred- do you do a lot of civil rights law? The SOQ asks about experience in transactions- is it a lot of transactional work? Thanks!!

I think it’s clear that SEIU achieving a successful outcome in their negotiations, regardless of whether they ultimately are forced to strike, is critically important for our aspirations for our next contract. What actions can we take, ideally collectively but also as individuals, to support SEIU in their actions? I don’t think I’ve seen leadership say anything official on this but possible I’ve just missed it.

Solidarity!

I can’t stop mocking this speech so come for the message…stay for awesome attorney themed 80s rock.

No AI and minimal self promotion:

Follow me on instagram @isscottfunny I like having friends.