Posts tagged California
Unearthed filing shows largest teachers unions poured over $900 million into political activities
October 28, 2026 // According to an investigation by the North American Values Institute (NAVI), a nonprofit watchdog that tracks ideological activism in education, the National Education Association (NEA) spent at least $547 million on political activity and advocacy between fiscal years 2016 and 2025. That total includes $458.9 million filed officially as political activity and lobbying, along with an additional $88.2 million in direct funding to progressive advocacy organizations. To finance its political activities, "NEA delegates approved a $10 dues increase for a ballot-measure and media fund projected to generate more than $20 million annually," the report stated. With more than 3 million members, the NEA is the largest teachers' union in the country.
Civil rights legend Dolores Huerta, who aired horrific rape claims against Cesar Chavez, dies aged 96
October 28, 2026 // California civil rights leader Dolores Huerta has died at the age of 96 — just months after airing horrific rape claims against Cesar Chavez. Huerta made the stunning revelation in March, leading many organizations and individuals across California to condemn the late Chavez and strip his name off monuments.
Union watchmen authorize strike at LA-Long Beach ports
October 28, 2026 // Although ILWU Local 26 accounts for only 2 percent of the union's total workforce at the two ports, the association said the terminals where its members work handle more than half of the cargo moving through the San Pedro Bay complex. The potentially impacted terminals handle roughly 85 percent of Long Beach's cargo and 33 percent of freight at the Port of Los Angeles, the PMA said. A watchmen strike could halt vessel, yard and gate operations at the affected terminals at both ports.
Freedom Foundation: Are California Unions Legally Untouchable?
October 28, 2026 // The Freedom Foundation sued under California’s unfair business practices laws on behalf of employees allegedly harmed by these and other deceptive practices. But the California courts concluded that consumer protection claims arising from these disputes fall within the exclusive jurisdiction of the California Public Employment Relations Board (PERB), the state agency that oversees public-sector labor disputes. (Those decisions are on appeal, Marsh et al. v. SEIU Local 2015, No. F090824 (Cal. Ct. App., 5th Dist.); Kendrick et al. v. United Domestic Workers, No. C106403 (Cal. Ct. App., 3d Dist.)) So, the Freedom Foundation’s legal team pivoted and filed unfair labor practice charges with PERB.
LAUSD’s insane priorities: Lavish union deals, fewer school cops and bullies running wild
October 27, 2026 // Public employee unions wield enormous influence over LAUSD elections. United Teachers Los Angeles spent roughly $2.4 million each supporting Scott Schmerelson and Karla Griego, and nearly $890,000 backing Rocío Rivas. Those same board members vote on contracts with the unions that spent millions helping elect them. School police, meanwhile, are represented separately. The board approved expensive labor agreements while identifying school police as another place to cut.
Amazon says it will not recognize workers’ unionization push at Merrillville warehouse
October 27, 2026 // Amazon does not plan to voluntarily recognize drivers who filed union authorization cards to join the Teamsters Local 142, setting up an election through the National Labor Relations Board. Transportation Operations Management, or TOM, Team drivers out of the 1 million-square-foot Amazon fulfillment center just off Interstate 65 in Merrillville rallied there Thursday to demand the company negotiate a union contract. The department employs about 21 workers out of the hundreds who work at the hulking Amazon warehouse, union leaders said.
California’s billionaire tax divides unions against their leaders
October 27, 2026 // Despite opposition to Prop. 40 from Gov. Gavin Newsom and several major labor groups, teachers in San Francisco and Los Angeles are backing the tax.
Winchester Mystery House tour guides launch one-day unfair labor practice strike
October 27, 2026 // The guides, who organized with Teamsters Local 856 in 2025, lead thousands of visitors through the mansion's halls annually. The strike comes after management bypassed the bargaining table to approach guides directly to sign waivers regarding the usage of their image and likeness for marketing promotion materials, rather than negotiating the issue collectively, according to union officials.
Lobbyist involved in Angel Stadium controversy returns to advise police union
October 26, 2026 // But it’s Flint’s return to Anaheim through the police union, which just secured a three-year labor contract with 16% raises, that’s been whispered about as an open secret for the past two years while rankling his rivals in town ahead of the Nov. 3 election. “It just shows the deficiencies of reform in our city,” said Dara Maleki, interim president and chief executive of the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce. “We leave loopholes for lobbyists like him to find a way back in.”
Letters: About Unionizing
October 26, 2026 // It is easy to get people excited by telling them you are going to get them a raise, but it is a bit more difficult to say where the money is going to come from. Most of the time, it comes from cutting other departments or ancillary staff. When cutting staff isn’t an option, the extras are cut instead. Housing, mortgage assistance, scholarships, daycare, the gym, etc.: Some of it will most certainly be cut to cover the increase in pay for nurses. The article lists the amount executives made as a means to cause Us vs Them mentality. I am uncertain what the author thinks executives make at most companies. I find it highly unlikely you could find a business with as many employees as Cottage where the executives aren’t making that amount or more. I am not saying I would say no to a raise, but to insinuate executives at union hospitals make less so they can pay their nurses more is simply not factually accurate.