Dear OCEA member,
The OCEA Negotiations Team held its first internal meeting to start the 2026 negotiations cycle on Tuesday, April 1. The team reviewed the negotiations process, County financial data, and proposal concepts, and discussed strategies to secure a strong MOU for OCEA members and our families.
PROCESS/MECHANICS
The OCEA Negotiations Team includes 24 primary and 17 alternate members, supported by professional staff. Meetings will occur at OCEA, likely on Wednesdays, with the primary team attending. Alternates will receive a briefing after each session. Team cohesion and timely updates are vital for success.
Pictured above, OCEA President Leti Guerrero addresses the negotiations team on Tuesday. Want to meet your negotiations team? Click here to read our last update!
COUNTY FINANCIAL DATA
OCEA has reviewed the publicly available financial documents from the County. We retained a forensic public accounting firm that has also reviewed County finances. The preliminary review of the County finances paints a VERY different picture than the one painted by the County CEO. We will share more detailed information about the County’s overall financial condition, but we can say without hesitation the County has money. Period.
PROPOSAL CONCEPTS
After the 2026 negotiations survey closed, OCEA staff reviewed results and compiled proposal concepts, including items which arose during the current MOU term.
The team will meet again April 14 to further develop proposals. One thing is certain: OCEA will advocate strongly for wage increases and oppose any rollbacks of prior gains.
INTERNAL ORGANIZING AND BUILDING POWER
Our main negotiation objective is to secure a strong MOU for OCEA members and our families. While we hope the County supports this, we are prepared to push back if necessary!
The OCEA Negotiations Team discussed union action options such as additional worksite meetings, literature blitzes, press conferences, pickets, and work stoppages, to help ensure we achieve a fair contract.
NEXT STEPS
We expect to start formal negotiations with the County at the end of April or early May.
GET INVOLVED
If you want to help OCEA secure a good MOU in 2026, join our workplace leader program! Sign up at ocea.org/getinvolved to connect with OCEA and join our Steward program or the Union Action Team.
In Solidarity,
Team OCEA
P.S.—If you want to learn more about the negotiations process here are some great educational materials:
