Prior to and during 1986 we, as elected officials in the current “labor” union, received hundreds of complaints from fellow State employees about the current labor union’s benefit plans. They apparently had medical and other benefit plans which were not delivering coverages and payments to the members as promised when they signed up. Prompted by this, a group of 10 of us met after work one day to see what we could do about it. We discovered that many State employees, not just from our department, were not being paid or told about hidden clauses in their plans. This was in order to restrict, delay, not pay, and require the employee to use virtually all of their accumulated time on the books prior to any benefits being paid. We found that an enormous number of employees who thought they were covered and were going to get paid, were in fact not. Some had lost their homes, had to file bankruptcy, had their credit ruined, and some lost their vehicles to repossession.


From the very first meeting we agreed and decided that we would form our own organization. This organization would not be about how much money we made in dues for ourselves, or used to set up lavish conventions or furnish fancy offices, or spend money on ourselves. We were going to get our members the lowest dues of any organization, and benefit plans with fewer restrictions and lower premiums. We would get plans that are portable so if you retire, change departments, or leave State service, the coverage goes with you at the same premium. We wanted insurance companies that actually pay when you file a claim regardless of how much time you have accumulated on the books. Companies who do not require you to exhaust your sick leave, CTO, holidays, vacations and catastrophic time bank credits before they would even consider giving you any benefits that you have earned and paid for. We would not require you, as some of them do, to pay back the benefits given to you if you get a workers’ compensation award by putting a lien on your pay and taking it back. Ask your benefit providing union/organization to provide you a complete and actual copy of your insurance policy and read it for yourself, not just the small brochure they hand out in order to join you up. Also, our members’ claims would not be subject to or based on a decision by a Board of Trustees voted in or appointed by the union/organization. When some of the other unions/organizations discovered what we were up to, they tried everything they could (even to this day) to stop us, including spreading false statements about us, and making false accusations about us to try and derail our efforts. As people found out about us, of course it did not work.


We therefore decided, since we are not about making money, but about our members’ welfare, to establish IBPO as a “fraternal bona fide association.” This would free us from competing with and being restricted by being a labor union. We registered and filed with all the required State and Federal agencies including the Department of Personnel Administration pursuant to (DPA) Rule 599.866. Our membership is open to all State employees and sponsored non-State employed California residents for membership and benefit programs, and we are not in any way affiliated with any labor union. We do not negotiate or represent any collective bargaining agreements, which frees us to deal with and provide you with the best benefits available. We are a fraternal nonprofit association which sponsors goodwill and harmonious relations with all sectors in State service. Once you become a member of IBPO, you will have the ability to participate in various enrichment and supplemental insurance plans at a group discounted rate. This also includes a scholarship program recently started where we provide money to our members, their spouses and children. We also offer a $1,000 death benefit to our members, at no cost to them. And the most recent additional benefit to our members is with Colonial Life which presents the opportunity to have a life and disability insurance, which protects the members’ present and future, at a discounted rate. Applications and information is available on our website.


This year, 2025, marks our 38th year of serving our members and getting the word out about what IBPO has to offer. As people have found out about us, we have grown at a phenomenal rate due to State employee dissatisfaction with their own plans, and word of mouth from our satisfied members. We will continue to grow as you and we pass the word out. So do us and yourselves a favor before you find yourselves in need of help:  Compare our benefits to yours, as well as the low membership dues. Then come and join our organization and feel safe taking advantage of our benefits.



Ray Feldmann

Founder

IT'S FINALLY OFFICIAL!



THE NEW ADDRESS FOR IBPO IS:


1522 WINDING SUN DRIVE

BEAUMONT, CA 92223



THE NEW PHONE NUMBER IS:

(951) 845-5742

FAX: (951) 602-7543


YOU CAN ALWAYS CONTACT US

VIA OUR WEBSITE:  ibpo@ibpo.us



THANK YOU FOR BEING A VERY VALUED MEMBER OF IBPO.