Court Negotiations update: Aug. 17, 2017

OCEA Court Bargaining Team after the first day of negotiations. (Left to Right): OCEA General Counsel Don Drozd, Lead Negotiator Bridgette Washington, Marci Dambert, Aimee Skochko, Shirley Chavez, Sharon Smith, OCEA President Lezlee Neebe, Janay Marks, Diane Gomez-Valenzuela, Rick Burns (OCEA Board member), Shanon Sipilovic, Robert Hendricks (OCEA Board member), Adriana Araneta, OCEA Organizing Director Tim Steed, and Sr. Labor Relations Representative Denise Velasco.

OCEA member,

The time has come! After months of preparation your bargaining team met with the Court to begin the process of negotiating the contract you and your family deserve.

At yesterday’s session OCEA presented our initial proposal to the Court. Our proposal reflects the priorities of OCEA members as expressed in the bargaining survey, at membership meetings, and additional direct member input. Our proposal includes wages, enhancements in the workplace, and holding the line on our rights and our protections. The proposal was presented by OCEA lead negotiator Bridgette Washington and she was supported by the OCEA Bargaining team.

The Court was represented by Chief spokesperson Douglas Freifeld. He was accompanied by the following management representatives: Anthony Palumbo, Gina Mendoza, Fred Owusu, Shannon Mays-Fontane, Jeff Wertheimer, Adriaan Ayers, Robyn Samuelson and Kristine Swensson. After being presented with our initial proposal, the management team took a short caucus and returned with some clarifying questions.

Our next bargaining session is on Wednesday, August 30th. At that meeting we anticipate receiving the Court’s opening proposal as well as their response to our initial proposal.

Many of you might wonder how you can help during this time? Here are three simple ways you can help support your bargaining team

  1. Talk to your co-workers and make sure they are receiving OCEA emails. If they are not, send them to www.ocea.org to register a myOCEA account. It is simple, and it is an important way to keep up to date on bargaining.
  2. Text the word CourtBargaining to the number 43506 to receive exclusive text message updates to your phone about Court Negotiations. (The body of the text message is “CourtBargaining” and you send the message To: “43506”)
  3. Volunteer to be part of the action team at your justice center. If you are interested in assisting your workplace leaders (Stewards) at your worksite go to www.ocea.org/getinvolved

We are strongest when we stand shoulder to shoulder. You have all sacrificed so much, it is time for you and your family to get the fair contract you deserve.

In solidarity,

Bridgette Washington
Senior Labor Relations Representative

Publication Date: August 17, 2017

Become an Advocate

Become a member today

Find Your Department