AMEA Update: March 7, 2024

Dear AMEA member,

As March begins, we want to provide AMEA members with an update on several important issues. Here we go!

Anaheim Councilwoman Natalie Meeks Visits AMEA!

On Thursday, Feb. 29, Anaheim District 6 Councilwoman Natalie Meeks joined the AMEA Board of Directors for our monthly meeting. Councilwoman Meeks is a former Anaheim Public Works Director and started her career as an AMEA member! After retiring from City service Councilwoman Meeks wanted to continue to serve. In 2022 she was elected to the Anaheim City Council. Councilwoman Meeks updated AMEA representatives on some of the important issues the Council is focused on, including the Class and Compensation study currently underway! 

With the visit of Natalie Meeks, EVERY member of the Anaheim City Council has come to an AMEA Board meeting! This is a testament to the power of AMEA and the respect this City Council has for you and your co-workers! 

AMEA Board of Directors Meeting Update

During the AMEA Board meeting, AMEA Directors and staff reviewed these important updates:

• Cadets Negotiations Begins: AMEA proudly represents Anaheim Police Cadets. These positions in the PD provide essential services, while providing a unique opportunity for young people who are interested in a career in law enforcement to have real-life experience at a premier agency in California. The AMEA- represented Cadets will begin MOU negotiations this month, and we will keep all AMEA members up to date as negotiations progress.
   
• Class and Compensation Study: Each month, AMEA meets with the City to discuss ongoing issues. This space is important because it allows your elected leaders to escalate AMEA member issues directly to decision makers. At our February meeting, the City notified your AMEA Board that they’ve finalized the comparable agencies to be used in the Class and Compensation study. There are a total of 16 agencies, which include surrounding cities, counties, and a water district. In the next step of the process Segal will be meeting with incumbents in a few classifications to ask for clarification and discuss discrepancies found on the Job Description Questionaries employees completed in October. These focus group meetings will take place in the last week of March. 

AMEA Says NO on the Costly and Deceptive Recall of Natalie Rubalcava

Unfortunately, the unnecessary and costly recall of AMEA friend Natalie Rubalcava qualified and has been put on the ballot for June 4, 2024. This special election will cost the City $700,000 (money that could otherwise be invested in City services!) and will be an unnecessary distraction from the amazing work our current City Council has been doing. AMEA joined the Anaheim Firefighters Assocation and the Anaheim Police Officers Association and issued this statement:

If you want to learn more about how you can fight this recall and support Natalie Rubalcava, email AMEA First Vice President Jason Perez at firstvp@anaheimamea.com.

In Solidarity,

AMEA

Publication Date: March 7, 2024