..::URGENT CALL TO ACTION::..
..::URGENT CALL TO ACTION::..
In December the Union is holding a vote on raising the dues for “3400+” members via only THREE voting locations. Only three hours for the first two and eight hours for the last location. At each of these locations they intend to try and buy your vote with food and beverages.
Why we urge a no vote
They have refused positive bylaw changes:
In april of 2025, Brian Alanis, emailed the Local asking them to make good on their promise to amend the bylaws to allow online voting. Instead of making sure everyone's voice could be heard the Union now gives us excuses and roughly ten bullet points of things they have "accomplished." the president and bylaw committee were sent a change to the bylaws that would have been foundational in enhancing member governance. Instead they are refusing to deliver positive change unless we first give them a blank check.
They are hiding layoffs:
While members were actively being lied to that there is no substance to the rumors that layoffs were coming the executive board of local 132 was quietly attending a near worthless conference. Local 522 spent $40,000 sending far less union reps. local 132 will not share how much they spent on nearly 10 union reps being treated to a las vegas vacation.
They are also forcing members to seek transparency through the Federal government and other legal means.
There is no clear plan on spending:
Instead of bringing forth online voting and measures related to accountability and transparency, The Executive Board sent you a letter claiming they are struggling. They listed "savings" and "expenses" to scare you into voting YES. But they didn't show you their tax returns.
We checked their 2025 Labor Department filing (LM-2). The LM-2 report proves that Local 132 is financially "fortress-proof." They have $3 million in liquid cash, millions in investments, and a growing net worth. This dues increase is not about survival; it is about hoarding.
Here is a financial comparison of Local 132 (2024 vs. 2025)
1: THE CASH EXPLOSION
They claim they are broke. The bank account says otherwise.
CASH ON HAND (End of Year)
2024: $1,826,957
2025: $3,057,276 (Source: 2025 LM-2 Filing)
THE INCREASE: +$1,230,319 (+67%)
TAKEAWAY: In just one year, they added $1.2 Million to their checking account. Why do they need your $5.00?
2: THE "DEFICIT" MYTH
They might claim they "lost money" in 2024. Here is where it went.
2024 "DEFICIT" REALITY
Did they lose money? NO.
What they actually did: They spent $1,590,138 buying Investments & Fixed Assets.
Translation: They took cash and turned it into Stocks and Property. That is not a loss; that is hoarding wealth.
2025 "SURPLUS" REALITY
Did they earn this from dues? NO.
What they actually did: They sold $1,276,490 in investments. (Source: 2025 LM-2 Filing)
Translation: They are playing the stock market with member dues.
3: OFFICER WEALTH vs. MEMBER DUES
While they ask you for a tax hike, look at what they paid themselves in 2024.
TOP 3 OFFICER PAYOUTS (2024)
Joe Moreno (President): $210,237
Belinda Moreno (Treasurer): $151,995
Michael Cormode (Bus. Agent): $116,651
TOTAL FOR JUST 3 PEOPLE: $478,883
TOTAL SPENT ON SALARIES AND EXPENSES (2024): $835,319
Fact: The Union spent nearly $1 MILLION just on salaries and expenses in 2024.
4: THE BOTTOM LINE
They are growing their Net Worth. You are just paying for it.
TOTAL NET ASSETS (WEALTH)
2024: $6,711,462
2025: $7,037,993 (Source: 2025 LM-2 Filing)
THE TREND: UP every single year.
VOTE NO on the Dues Hike.
They have $3,000,000 in Cash. They don't need yours.The "Poverty" Myth vs. The $3 Million Reality The Board implies the Union is struggling. The numbers tell a different story.
Cash on Hand: According to Item 22 of the LM-2 report, the Local finished the reporting period with $3,057,276 in cash.
Cash Increase: In one year, their cash reserves increased by over $1.2 Million (up from $1.8M the previous year).
Net Worth: The Union’s total Net Assets grew from $6.7 million to $7.03 million.
The Question: Why does a Union with $3 million in the bank and a growing net worth need an emergency tax on its members?
2. The "Operating Deficit" Fallacy The leadership claims they need more revenue to run the Union.
Total Receipts: Last year, the Union brought in $4,818,564.
Total Disbursements: The Union spent $3,588,245.
Even accounting for the sale of investments, the Union is not operating at a loss that justifies a dues hike. They are net-positive. They are asking you to fix a budget hole that does not exist.
3. Excessive Officer Compensation vs. Member Dues While asking members to pay an extra $130/year, the LM-2 reveals significant officer disbursements:
Secretary-Treasurer (Michael Cormode): Received $154,828 in total disbursements last year.
Past President (Joe Moreno): Received $143,589.
It is difficult to accept a request for more money "to protect the industry" when leadership compensation packages are this high while the Union sits on a multi-million dollar surplus.
4. The Investment Portfolio The Union is not just a labor organization; it is apparently also an investment firm.
Schedule 5 of the report shows the Union holding roughly $1.7 million in investments, including stock in Microsoft, Netflix, and Sempra Energy.
Before asking members to cut into their family budgets, the Union should look at its own stock portfolio.
5. The "Third Staff Member" & Legal Fees They claim they need money for a third staffer and legal fees.
Staffing: With a Net Asset increase of over $300,000 last year alone, the funds for a new staff member already exist in the surplus. No dues hike is needed since they have already brought her on after the closing of the financial period where they would have been obligated to report her.
Legal Fees: Why does a Union with $3 million in cash need extra dues to cover standard legal costs? Why should members give more money to the local to be spent on legal fees suppressing transparency and defending corruption!?
