PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE: Moving Forward with CAPE By Carlos Clayton, CAPE President

What does the word “Union” mean to you?

As members of a labor union, we are part of a movement that provides us with better pay and working conditions. We have a voice where many do not.

But for CAPE members, I think sometimes the concept of being part of a union can get lost in the day-to-day demands of our jobs. It’s important to understand that CAPE membership is more than just discounted movie tickets.

What does CAPE membership provide?
• Equity
• Equality
• Justice
• A Voice in the Workplace
• Working Together
• Fair Treatment
• Due Process
• Solidarity

CAPE is a union that stands for justice, fairness and equality in the workplace. We work together in solidarity to ensure due process and to give you a voice in your workplace. More than 50 years ago, road, flood and county engineers recognized the need to form a union and be represented in the public sector workplace. They chose to have a voice instead of letting layers of government bureaucracy hamper their ability to get better pay, working conditions, promotions, safety equipment and more.

As we begin 2018 and prepare for negotiations with Los Angeles County management, we need to remember why we are members of CAPE and understand we are united in having that voice in the workplace.

Unions are at a crossroads this year, where attacks on our rights as public sector union members are happening daily. There are people and organizations out there who want to take away the rights we established back in 1964 with the formation of CAPE and have built upon with every contract negotiation since then.

You have to ask yourself why? Why do these influential and well-funded organizations like the Freedom Foundation, the National Right to Work Foundation and the American Legislative Exchange Council want to keep us down and take away our voices? Why do they not want working professionals like us coming together to collectively bargain our contracts?

Well, a lot of it has to do with money and politics and the idea that the 1% should have control over the 99%. That is simply not how democracy works. In Los Angeles County, we are lucky to have a Board of Supervisors that understand the need for public sector employees to have union representation and who support us. But that can change any time during any election. That’s why we must remain steadfast in our purpose and supportive of our union.

Now is the time to reflect on what you want out of your union and how you can be a part of it.

Remember, Union starts with YOU.

As we start negotiations on both the Fringe Benefits and CAPE contracts, let's get to work in 2018 and help CAPE grow!