OC SAN Negotiations Update: Feb. 28, 2024

Dear OCEA member,

The current MOU included a reopener to meet and confer regarding the comparison agencies used for classification and compensation studies. On Thursday, Feb. 15, your OC San Negotiations Team stood together with other OC San’s other Unions (IUOE 501 and SPMT – AFSCME ) at the table across from OC San representatives to discuss which cities or special districts OC San will be compared to in upcoming class and comp studies. These studies can have an impact on wages and benefit comparisons in negotiations.

Your current MOU expires in early 2025, however these important discussions now will shape future negotiations.

At the table for your OCEA team were your OCEA Labor Relations Representatives Linda Meyer and Charles Leon and OCEA Organizers Alisha Greene and Carlos Rosales. Also at the table were your workplace leaders Bobby Martinez, Materials Management Clerk; Kevin Escobar, Source Control Inspector II; Dennis Dilliner, Source Control Inspector II; and Christiana Robinson, Administrative Assistant. The other unions were represented by their own union staff and employee-leaders as well. We are working collaboratively as one voice to make sure that all OC San employees are strategically positioned for the next negotiations cycle.

Thursday’s meeting was a just a starting point for introductions, OC San’s statement of priorities, and agreement on ground rules for these negotiations. So far, it seems OC San’s main goal is to negotiate the number of comparable agencies from 17 down to a more manageable number. On average, most agencies compare themselves to about 10-12 others.

Although this is the District’s goal, our goal is to position ourselves in the best place for members. We will not agree to anything that takes away our bargaining power at the table. Historically, OC San takes a strong stance to place itself in the seventy-fifth percentile of the market; therefore, the cities and district we negotiate to include in our research will be critical to putting ourselves in the best position possible at the table in 2025.

Our OC San Negotiations Team is currently already set, however, if you’d like to volunteer and help with research, please let us know. We will also send out updates with ways members can get involved as needed.

Please continue to read your emails and stay updated. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact OCEA Labor Relations Representatives Charles Leon (cleon@ocea.org) or Linda Meyer (lmeyer@ocea.org).

In Solidarity,

OCEA

Publication Date: February 28, 2024