Last update: 12/19/2024 (GR)

Hello everyone,

Below you will find a copy of an email sent out to CVWD today, and a status update on CVWDEA:

“Good afternoon,

The CVWDEA Board has decided to pause all business conducted on behalf of the Membership until further notice. Due to the ongoing uncertainty regarding the Teamsters’ merger and the District's refusal to allow the CVWDEA to proceed with said merger, we are unable to fulfill our responsibilities as intended.

As you are aware, the EA signed a merger agreement with Teamsters Local 1932 following a legal and valid vote. This agreement is a binding legal document, and CVWD has no authority to override it. This merger agreement effectively dissolved the Board into the Teamsters Local. It is understood that CVWD has chosen to disregard both the wishes of the EA and the preliminary ruling from PERB, which favored the merger. The statements made in previous discussions between the EA and CVWD, which suggested that the District required PERB's decision, expressed a desire for the EA to select representatives of its choosing, and indicated that CVWD would accept the representatives selected, now appear to have been made in bad faith.

By refusing to recognize the representatives elected by the EA in May 2024 as part of the merger with Teamsters Local 1932, the District has made it clear that it does not wish to engage with the EA as it now stands- as Teamsters. CVWD has no right to determine or interfere with any business matters, bylaw changes, or the structure of the EA or its operations. The actions taken by the District over the past seven months indicate a disregard for the bargaining unit and the work environment, leading many employees to believe that the District’s actions are motivated by a desire to control the EA Board and its membership, rather than by concerns for the five employees who submitted declarations or the “numerous” employees who contacted HR.

If CVWD genuinely wishes to engage in business with the EA, it must acknowledge that the EA is now part of Teamsters Local 1932 and allow for the renewal of the relationship that once existed. Until then, the Board interprets the District's refusal to do so as an unwillingness to engage with the legitimate representatives elected by the membership.

The CVWDEA Board is not stating that it will refuse to conduct business with the District; rather, we are affirming that the legal status of the CVWDEA is that it no longer exists as a standalone entity because it has merged with Teamsters Local 1932. While CVWD may not recognize this merger, it has no authority to dictate how the CVWDEA (now Teamsters Local 1932) represents itself. Furthermore, it is possible that all decisions made by the EA Board since the merger in May are invalid, as the Board did not have the authority to act without Teamsters Local 1932's involvement.

The CVWDEA Board is willing to resume all operations and business with CVWD, provided that CVWD shows the minimum respect necessary by acknowledging our choice of exclusive representative.

Respectfully,

Gabriel Reyes”

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