SEIU probe finds union leader used threats to force billionaire tax endorsement
An independent investigation commissioned by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) has substantiated allegations that Dave Regan, president of SEIU United Health Workers West, attempted to extort a state council endorsement for California’s billionaire tax (Proposition 40) and engaged in a pattern of intimidation against female union leaders. The probe found that Regan threatened to report the state council to the Department of Labor if it did not support the measure by January 1. It also validated claims that Regan physically assaulted a former executive director in 2009 and verbally abused multiple women in the union. Regan denies all allegations, calling them politically motivated retaliation for his advocacy of the wealth tax, which is on the November 3 ballot. While the national union’s probe found his counter-claim of retaliation unsubstantiated, a separate state council inquiry confirmed a pattern of bullying behavior. Regan remains in his position pending an evidentiary hearing, though he has been temporarily barred from SEIU California offices.