Orange County Fire Authority

We have an important update as we prepare to begin negotiations with OCFA. OCEA Lead Negotiator Michelle Rubio is moving on to pursue a new job opportunity. Moving forward, OCEA Senior Labor Relations Representative Kerensa Schupmann will serve as lead negotiator. Our first bargaining session will now take place Oct. 15.

 As we get closer to the table, member involvement becomes increasingly important. Please continue to stay informed, talk with your co-workers, attend meetings when you can, and be ready to support your negotiations team throughout the process. Negotiations begin September 9!

Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete the bargaining survey. Over the next several weeks, the team will continue researching proposals, drafting language, and preparing for our scheduled September 9 bargaining session with OCFA. Please join us for our upcoming General Membership Meeting.

Please take a few minutes to complete our negotiations survey. Your feedback helps identify the issues that matter most to you and shapes our initial negotiations proposal. It also offers you the opportunity to get involved with negotiations. The survey will close Friday, July 17, at 5 p.m.

In a victory for union members at OCFA, OCEA has won back roughly $130,000 in wages for members who were denied pay they were promised for working the Airport Fire. Management has agreed to make every impacted member whole, with interest.

This Friday, May 29, 2026, you will see a 2.54% OCEA-negotiated wage increase reflected on your paycheck. This is the final wage increase in your current agreement, which runs through April 26, 2027.