County Negotiations
OCEA returns to the bargaining table in 2027
Tentative Agreement RATIFIED
OCEA members from all six (6) of our bargaining units have voted to ratify the Tentative Agreement with the County. Your 3% base-building wage increase will be reflected in your paycheck starting Sept. 24. This bridge agreement runs through Aug. 31, 2027. Because this is a short term contract, your negotiations team will return to the table in early 2027. Between now and 2027, we will continue to build.
Important Dates
May 6, 2026
County Financial Presentation
May 13, 2026
Negotiations Sessions Begin
May 27, 2026
OCEA Negotiations Team will deliver its initial proposal to the County.
June 17, 2026
County presents its counterproposal.
June 23, 2026
Board of Supervisors Closed Session on OCEA negotiations
June 24, 2026
Negotiations Session 3
June 25, 2026
Current MOUs Expire
All terms, rights, and conditions remain in effect while we negotiate. No gap in your benefits or protections.
July 1, 2026
Negotiations Session 4
July 2, 2026
OCEA Union Action Team Membership Meeting
Join the Union Action Team to take part. Any member can join—join here.
July 29, 2026
Negotiations Session 5
July 30, 2026
OCEA Virtual Membership Meeting (12pm & 5:30pm)
The meeting will be held via Zoom—all county members are encouraged to attend! Learn more about how to attend.
August 5, 2026
Negotiations Session 6
August 12, 2026
Negotiations Session 7
August 17, 2026 (12 p.m. and 5:30 p.m)
Virtual Membership Meeting
OCEA will hold TWO virtual membership meetings Monday, Aug. 17, at 12 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., to review the Tentative Agreement, discuss what happened at the table, explain our recommendation, and answer your questions. Find the Zoom link in your email.
August 17-20, 2026
Vote on the Tentative Agreement
Online voting begins at noon Monday, Aug. 17, 2026
and ends at Noon Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026. Visit ocea.org/vote to cast your vote.
August 25, 2026
County Board of Supervisors Meeting
Negotiations News
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Latest Update
County Negotiations—The Next Fight Starts Now
The County is currently developing its 2026 Strategic Financial Plan (SFP), and if history is any indication, we already know what the County will say: resources are limited. Our next round of negotiations may be in 2027, but the financial story the County will bring to that bargaining table is being written now. The County Asked for Input. Let’s Give It to Them.
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County Negotiations Update: Tentative Agreement Ratified
OCEA members have voted to ratify the Tentative Agreement with the County. Once adopted, your 3% base-building wage increase will be reflected in your paycheck starting Sept. 24. Because this is a short term contract, your negotiations team will return to the table in early 2027. Between now and 2027, we will continue to build.
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County T.A. Reminder: Vote by Noon, Thursday, Aug. 20
We stood together. We moved the County. Now let’s lock in what we have won so far and keep fighting for what we deserve. Voting closes at noon, Aug. 20.
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County Negotiations Update: We Moved the County—Tentative Agreement Reached
OCEA and the County have reached a Tentative Agreement on a short-term bridge contract through 2027 that puts base-building wages into members’ pockets now while allowing us to continue fighting for more. OCEA will hold two virtual membership meetings Monday, Aug. 17 to review the Tentative Agreement and answer your questions. Voting will open Monday, Aug. 17, and close at 12 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20.
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Negotiations Update: We are Ready to Act!
On August 5, OCEA met with the county once again to push back against their disappointing, insulting offer. OCEA’s team also met directly with all five Orange County Supervisors to make our case directly—but we’re not holding our breath. If the County doesn’t move by August 12, we’ll be ready to rally.
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Almost 800 Members Showed Up. Here’s What Comes Next.
Nearly 800 OCEA members joined our two County membership meetings on July 30. That strong turnout sends a clear message—the County needs to make meaningful progress at the next bargaining table. If it does not, we are prepared to rally at the County Administration North Building on Aug. 25 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Union Action Team Meetings
The OCEA Union Action Team is where members can attend monthly meetings with the latest news and negotiations updates. Any member can join the UAT—join here.
Union Action Team: May 2026
OCEA Assistant General Manager Tim Steed walks the Union Action Team through where 2026 County negotiations stand heading into the first official bargaining session.
Topics covered:
- OCEA’s final opening proposal and how the team got there
- Wages, flexibility, healthcare cost containment, and premium pay priorities
- Why the proposal stays confidential and what members will see
- Recap of OCEA’s meetings with all five Board of Supervisors offices pushing back on the County’s “no money” narrative
- The County’s recent financial presentation from CFO Michelle Aguirre and what it really told us
- The vacant positions the County deleted and what that means for your workload
- Why next week’s session is the real kickoff and what the worker-perspective financial presentation will look like
- Bilingual pay, AI, and carryover items heading to the table
- Negotiation session schedule, Board meetings, and the upcoming budget hearing
- Internal organizing: the literature blitz, the CAS and CAN hot dog event, and the upcoming virtual membership meeting
Union Action Team: April 2026
OCEA Assistant General Manager Tim Steed walks the Union Action Team through where negotiations stand ahead of the 2026 contract campaign — what the team covered in their first internal meeting, what the County’s financial picture actually looks like, and what’s coming next.
Topics covered:
- NEGOTIATIONS AS A CAMPAIGN: Why negotiations should be understood as a campaign with distinct phases — from survey to ratification
- TEAM STRUCTURE: What happened at the April 1st internal team meeting (24 primary members, 17 alternates) and how the team is structured
- THE LANDSCAPE: The political and financial backdrop heading into negotiations — four of five supervisors in election transitions, an outgoing CEO, and the County’s budget concern claims
- THE COUNTY’S FINANCES: Why OCEA’s financial data tells a different story — County reserves above policy levels and a pattern of underestimating revenue
- PROPOSAL CONCEPTS: What the team reviewed, including wages, AI and job security, premium pay enhancements, and worker rights
- NEXT STEPS: Finalizing proposals on April 14th, direct outreach to board members, and a literature blitz on the first day of negotiations
- DAYS OF ACTION: April 25th, May 16th, and May 30th — and why political mobilization matters at the table
OCEA Union Action Team: February 2026—County Contract Campaign Kickoff
OCEA Assistant General Manager Tim Steed walks workplace leaders through the 2026 county contract campaign — where we stand, what’s coming, and how to prepare.
Topics covered:
- Bargaining as a campaign: the phases from kickoff to peak
- What OCEA has done since 2023 to build power heading into negotiations
- The role of the Union Action Team and stewards
- Variables impacting the timeline: CEO transition, Board of Supervisors elections, and every county union negotiating at the same time
- Potential escalation actions if the county won’t negotiate in good faith
- Key dates to save
General Membership Meetings
All county members are encourage to attend our Virtual General Membership Meetings!
August 17, 2026
Ratification Meeting on the Bridge Agreement
OCEA Leadership provides an overview of the Tentative Agreement reached with the County, how we reached the deal, and what comes next year.
July 30, 2026
County Negotiations Update
Our MOU expired at the end of June, and the County is still offering 0% in base-building wages. Your Negotiations Team breaks down the County’s proposal, what OCEA is fighting for, the tentative agreements we have already won, and why we know the County has the money to do right by its workers.
December 15, 2025
County Survey Results
OCEA Leadership provides an overview of results from our record-breaking 2026 County Negotiations Survey.
May 27, 2025
County Finance Overview
OCEA Leadership covers the county budget facts and contract comparisons by county.
Learn more at OCEA.org and on our YouTube channel—youtube.com/@oceamember. New to negotiations? Learn more with out OCEA University Playlist, starting with our Negotiations 101.
Background
Current MOUs
A Memorandum of Understanding, also know as an MOU, is the negotiated union contract that sets forth the wages, hours and working conditions guiding your employment. View your MOU below.
Negotiations Team
These County employees bring firsthand experience, a strong record of advocacy, and are prepared to fight for you by advancing proposals that reflect the real needs of OCEA members.
Resources
Learn more about the negotiation process.
Contract Ratification 101 (8 Minutes)
Have Your Voice Heard
A union is only as strong as its members—our strength comes from your solidarity.
Become a Member
Only members can vote on contracts and participate in surveys that influence negotiations!
Sign Up For Emails
If you aren’t receiving emails, fill out our ‘Ask OCEA’ form to keep up with the latest news.
Get Involved
OCEA has flexible ways for members to be involved, such as our monthly Union Action Team (UAT). Get involved at your own pace!