Dear ER/DR SSWs and SSSSs,
Over the past few weeks, many of you have reached out with concerns about the ER/Intake merger. We also appreciate those who joined our meetings on March 5 (SSWs) and March 9 (SSSSs). In total, we heard from about 40 of you.
What we’re hearing is consistent: the merger is happening alongside existing challenges in ER—staffing shortages, workload pressures, and shifting responsibilities—and it’s having a real impact.
We are raising these issues with management and pushing for clarity and solutions.
Key Issues Raised
- Intake Staffing: Only 6 of the original 10 Intake workers are currently supporting operations, with no reduction in workload. Gaps are being filled with overtime, which is not sustainable.
- Supervision: While 4 SSSSs were identified to oversee Intake, responsibilities are being spread more broadly without clear structure, training, or support.
- Supervisor Availability: SSWs report reduced access to supervisors as they take on additional Intake duties.
- Clerical Support: ER staff are seeing less clerical assistance as resources are shifted to Intake.
- Overall Strain: ER is already operating at capacity, with vacancies, leaves, and ongoing transitions adding to instability.
Next Steps
We are initiating the meet and confer process with the County, starting with SSSSs and then SSWs. We have also asked that no further changes be implemented until these discussions occur.
Our first meeting is scheduled for March 30 with ER/DR management. We will raise the concerns you’ve shared and push for practical, workable solutions that address the impacts you’re experiencing.
Stay Connected
If you have additional concerns or questions, please reach out:
Kerensa Schupmann | KSchupmann@ocea.org
Alisha Greene | AGreene@ocea.org
Your input matters and strengthens our position.
In Solidarity,
OCEA
