OCEA Member,
Your OCEA Labor Management Committee (LMC) team recently met with department management for another productive session. We are pleased to report that our positive and collaborative relationship with the department remains strong through these LMC meetings.
We discussed staffing needs, upcoming budget challenges, and several issues that were brought forward by members. This quarter’s LMC team included Mary Hunter, Luis Arevalos, Roque Rios, Lydia Samaan, and Rossana Prescott, who represented members throughout our discussions with the department. Representatives from the department included Matt Pettit and Jennifer Maguin. Please review the recap of our discussions below.
Vacancies, Recruitments, and Budget Challenges
We requested an update on vacancies and active recruitments. The department shared that while they typically plan for a 7.4% vacancy rate, they are currently closer to 10%. They continue to meet with County CEO Michelle Aguirre to focus on long-term planning so that critical positions can be filled in a timely manner. Despite the hiring freeze, the department is recruiting for positions, as necessary. Currently, this includes a paralegal recruitment that drew more than 100 applicants who met the minimum qualifications. If your unit has a vacancy that is creating workload impacts, please let us know so we can raise it with the department. Additionally, the County is asking all departments to plan for a 10% budget reduction for the next fiscal year. Your LMC team will monitor this closely and advocate to ensure employees remain the priority in any budget decisions. DA management has expressed agreement on this priority.
CMS Deletion Capability
At our last meeting, we raised concerns that CMS deletions were limited to Senior Law Office Supervisors and requested that this access be extended to Senior Paralegals. Since then, some Senior Paralegals received access while others did not. Management followed up and provided IT with a list to ensure all Senior Paralegals now have deletion capability. If you are a Senior Paralegal and still do not have this access, please email IT or contact me at AGreene@ocea.org so we can follow up.
Centralization of HR
Members asked whether HR centralization would have any impact on them. The department shared that all changes occurred behind the scenes and that there should be no operational impacts to employees going forward.
Parking Structure Safety Mirrors
We raised concerns about visibility issues in the parking structure and asked whether mirrors could be added at various turning points to improve safety. The department contacted Facilities to review the request, and Public Works will conduct a safety assessment. We will keep you updated on any improvements.
Parking Structure Elevator
We also asked about ongoing problems with the parking structure elevator, which is frequently out of service. The department shared that the County is currently short on elevator technicians. Because one elevator remains operational, this location is not placed on the emergency contractor list, and parts delays (backorders) have also contributed to extended downtime. Your LMC team will continue monitoring the situation.
If you are interested in becoming a steward and participating in LMC meetings, please contact Alisha at AGreene@ocea.org. LMC meetings occur quarterly, and we hope to share the 2025 schedule with employees at the start of the new year. If you have an issue you’d like raised, please reach out.
In solidarity,
OCEA
