California Labor Leader Championing Wealth Tax Faces Allegations of Harassment and Intimidation

A prominent California labor official who has spearheaded a high-profile ballot initiative aimed at taxing the state’s wealthiest residents is facing serious accusations of workplace bullying, harassment, and intimidation directed toward female colleagues. The allegations target Dave Regan, the long-standing president of Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West, following an internal investigation that has exposed deep divisions within the state's organized labor movement.

The findings are detailed in an extensive investigative report commissioned by the umbrella organization SEIU California. Initially reported by the Los Angeles Times and subsequently obtained by The Associated Press, the inquiry compiles firsthand testimonies from both current and former union personnel who describe an ongoing pattern of aggressive conduct and coercive tactics linked to internal political disputes.

At the heart of the recent friction is Proposition 40, a contentious statewide measure scheduled for the November ballot that would establish a one-time 5% tax on billionaires living in California. Revenue generated from the initiative is intended to compensate for federal funding reductions affecting healthcare programs for low-income residents. However, the proposal has driven an unexpected wedge between usually unified political allies, causing rifts across the Democratic Party and among affiliated labor groups.

Investigators found that Regan sought to force broader labor support for the ballot initiative by applying intense pressure on union officials. While Regan’s healthcare local has vigorously championed the measure, the overarching statewide body, SEIU California, has pointedly refrained from endorsing it, creating substantial friction between leadership factions in the months leading up to the vote.

In addition to recent conflicts over policy, the investigative dossier outlines historical misconduct allegations, including an assertion that Regan engaged in physical aggression against an executive colleague more than 15 years ago. It also outlines a wider pattern of hostile behavior and verbal beratement targeting women working across the union hierarchy.

Regan has publicly acknowledged that his language during heated discussions with fellow labor representatives could be abrasive, conceding that he has used profanity in professional exchanges. However, he has categorically rejected claims involving physical violence, asserting during a press conference that he will take accountability for his actual words and actions while refusing to accept what he characterized as outright fabrications.

The leadership of SEIU-UHW has mounted a forceful defense of its president, claiming that the report—which was formally finalized in June—was made public by political adversaries seeking to sabotage the billionaire tax initiative. In official statements, the local union argued that wealthy opponents are orchestrating attacks to protect their financial interests, dismissing the findings as a compilation of out-of-context verbal encounters spanning nearly two decades.

Conversely, representatives from SEIU California maintained that commissioning the investigation and acting upon its findings was necessary to preserve institutional integrity. The statewide organization emphasized that fostering equity, fairness, and mutual respect within the workplace remains essential, arguing that union members who are routinely urged to confront workplace mistreatment deserve leaders who uphold those same standards.

Among the specific accounts highlighted in the report is testimony from Tia Orr, the executive director of SEIU California. Orr informed investigators that Regan confronted her in December, issuing an ultimatum demanding that the statewide union formally endorse the billionaire tax measure by January 1 or face direct retaliation, warning her, "I'm coming for you."

Following that encounter, Orr reported feeling unsafe in her role and subsequently learned of additional instances where other female leaders and staffers were subjected to threatening or abusive behavior by Regan. These grievances prompted SEIU California to escalate the matter by filing formal internal charges against Regan with the SEIU International Union, citing documented patterns of intimidation, threats, and extortion.

The investigative report also documents a serious historical encounter involving Courtni Pugh, who previously served as the executive director of SEIU California before stepping down from her post in 2009. Pugh testified that during a dispute over political strategy, Regan berated her with expletives, declared she was not tough enough to perform her job, kicked in her office door, and physically cornered her against a bookcase.

SEIU-UHW pushed back against Pugh’s statements, labeling the accusation an embellished claim dating back 17 years. The local union also noted that the political consulting firm where Pugh is currently employed has provided professional services to organizations that oppose Proposition 40, suggesting a potential conflict of interest in the timing of the claims.

Pugh stood firmly by her testimony, describing Regan’s public denials as deeply offensive to the individuals who have experienced his mistreatment over the years. She noted that she had confided in union colleagues immediately after the 2009 incident occurred and stated that her participation in the recent investigation was motivated by a desire to prevent future colleagues from enduring similar abuse.

As California voters prepare to decide the fate of Proposition 40, the fallout from the investigative report highlights an escalating internal crisis within the state's labor ranks. The controversy underscores how high-stakes political campaigns can amplify personal and organizational rifts, leaving union leaders to navigate severe allegations of workplace misconduct alongside major policy battles.