Our Fight for Fairness: How We Formed a Union in Diamond Bar

For nearly 20 years, I’ve worked for the City of Diamond Bar, dedicating my time to supporting the community through events, ensuring operations run smoothly, and going above and beyond to make our facility a place of pride. But as the years passed, I couldn’t ignore the growing frustrations among part-time employees like me. We dealt with inconsistent hours, fluctuating paychecks, lack of recognition, and a toxic workplace culture where management often dismissed our voices. We are a part-time workers unit of about 60 for the Parks and Recreation Department for the City of Diamond Bar.

It wasn’t just me feeling this way—many of my coworkers, some with more than a decade of service, shared the same frustrations. We were tired of being undervalued, but for years, nothing changed. High turnover plagued our department, and long-time colleagues left because they simply couldn’t take it anymore. I often found myself wondering, “Why do I stay?” But I stayed because I cared about the job, my coworkers, and the community we served.

Eventually, something had to give. The idea of forming a union began as a quiet conversation among coworkers. It wasn’t just about better pay or benefits—we wanted fairness, respect, and a voice. We were tired of feeling powerless and knew we had to take a stand. Slowly, we built momentum, working with AFSCME District Council 36 to make our vision a reality. AFSCME was very understanding of our struggles and together we created a path to victory.

Organizing was no easy feat. The city resisted every step of the way. They restricted access to keys, changed policies, and issued FAQs about the union election that felt like deliberate attempts to intimidate us. HR sent communications directly to employees, bypassing union channels, and even hired an outside attorney to handle union matters. Every move they made seemed designed to dissuade us. It felt like a fight not just for better working conditions but for the right to be heard at all. AFSCME filed an Unfair Labor Practice with PERB when the City failed to recognize the union after PERB confirmed we had majority support. This week PERB issued a Claim on AFSCME's ULP. This level of accountability, knowledge and fortitude is why we joined AFSCME!

As we organized, the pushback from management became more intense and personal. One moment that struck me deeply was receiving a memo claiming I wasn’t doing my job. In nearly 20 years of service, I’d never had any performance issues—no warnings, no complaints, nothing. My record was spotless. The accusation felt like a direct attack, not just on my work ethic, but on my character. It was hard not to take it personally, but I knew this wasn’t just about me. It was about sending a message to anyone supporting the union.

Looking back, the challenges we faced as part-time employees were staggering. While full-time workers received cost-of-living raises over the years, we went over a decade without any raises at all. On top of that, the city made the decision to remove part-time employees from Social Security and move us into a retirement account that seemed designed to save the city money. Unlike Social Security, the city contributes nothing to this account—it’s entirely dependent on our own contributions. It felt like another way to cut corners at our expense, leaving us with little financial security and an uncertain future. Without a union employees were silenced!

That moment could have shaken my resolve, but instead, it fueled me. I knew I wasn’t alone. My coworkers stood by me, and their trust reminded me why we were doing this—to ensure no one else would have to face unfair treatment for simply wanting better working conditions.

Despite the challenges, we pressed on. The PERB sanctioned union election on January 25-26, 2025, was the culmination of months of effort. I had the privilege of serving as the designated observer, ensuring the process was fair and transparent. Watching my coworkers cast their votes was a moment I’ll never forget. It was a symbol of our resilience and determination to stand together. When the results were announced, the majority had voted in favor of union representation. We had done it—we had won! When HR questioned me before the vote was counted AFSCME Representative Luis Schmidt, quickly chimed in- silencing her professionally. This was a shock to all in the room but a welcomed one!

But the victory was bittersweet. During this entire ordeal, the city’s pushback intensified. One of our strongest union supporters was terminated under questionable circumstances. Advocating for him became a rallying point for our union. We knew this fight was about more than policies and paychecks—it was about protecting each other. Another ULP is in draft for this retaliatory termination.

As we moved forward, I felt the weight of responsibility. Many of my coworkers turned to me for guidance and reassurance. They trusted me to lead and to keep them informed. I took that trust seriously because I knew this wasn’t just my fight—it was ours. I also reflected on how far we’d come. There were moments of doubt when I questioned whether this effort would succeed. If we hadn’t won, I’m not sure I could have stayed in Diamond Bar much longer. But now, I have hope—not just for myself, but for every employee who has ever felt undervalued.

Today, we’re preparing to begin bargaining, and the atmosphere has shifted. For the first time in years, I feel optimistic about the future. We’re pushing for fair scheduling, consistent hours, recognition for milestones, and a culture of respect and accountability. We’re fighting to make sure no one is forced to find their own shift coverage when they’re sick and that every employee is treated with the dignity they deserve. We don't even have a designated area to take breaks. We are in a storage closet for chairs, tables and chemicals.

Looking back, this journey has been one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but also one of the most rewarding. It wasn’t just about changing policies—it was about changing lives. Our fight to form a union in Diamond Bar is proof that change is possible when people come together with determination and purpose. For years, we felt powerless in the face of injustice, but by standing united, we found our strength. This journey wasn’t easy, but it was worth every challenge, every moment of doubt, and every ounce of effort.

I hope our story inspires others who may feel undervalued or unheard in their own workplaces to believe in the power of collective action. Change doesn’t happen overnight, but with courage, persistence, and unity, we can build workplaces where fairness and respect are the foundation. If we could do it here, I believe it can happen anywhere. Together, we’ve built something that will make Diamond Bar a better place to work—not just for us, but for everyone who comes after us. That’s a victory worth celebrating. We are thankful AFSCME has our back and excited to be union members!

Adam Angulo 
Part-time employee/AFSCME Believer