CSA/CST Merger on Board of Supervisors Agenda

Dear OCEA Member,

As you are very much aware, Sheriff Barnes has made the decision to merge the CST, Sr. CST, and CSA classifications. These discussions began approximately three years and were severely delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This matter is finally set for Board of Supervisors approval on August 10, 2021.

Your OCEA team of CSA Blakely, Sr. CST Robles, CST Salazar, SSO Rodriguez (and alternatively SSO Edwards) met and conferred over several months to mitigate the impacts of the Department’s decision. Throughout the process, the goal was to secure the following outcomes: no layoffs, no loss of benefits, no impact to pre-planned vacations, career growth opportunities, and training to ensure success and safety on the job. The Sheriff ultimately stated the goal of cross-training the duties of the jail positions is designed to give everyone the opportunity to learn and operate in a safe and efficient manner. The Sheriff also repeated his desire to give not only CSTs and Sr. CSTs opportunity for growth, but to further provide CSAs with the opportunities to promote to either SSOs or Deputy Sheriff Trainee.

The fact that not everyone agrees with the Sheriff's plan or decision is well-known. However, we want to reiterate that the decision was the Sheriff's and not OCEA’s. We heard your concerns and voiced them at the table with command staff. Your concerns were used to come to an agreement to mitigate many issues.

Because there have been many rumors during this process, we want to lay out some of the specifics. The CSTs and Sr. CSTs will also be receiving an email from the Department with a survey gauging your interest in participating in a CSA Transition Program.

Under the CSA Transition Program, CSTs and Sr. CSTs will have the choice to transition into the CSA classification or remain in the CST classification. The window period to make this voluntary election will close on March 20, 2022. The Sr. CST position will no longer exist after March 20, 2022, and reporting relationships following that date will be made directly to Sergeants. CSTs who wish not to participate will remain as CSTs, but the department will no longer be hiring for this position and through attrition (retirements, separations, etc.), the CST classification will eventually be eliminated. There is no set timeframe for this to occur.

The CSA Transition Program will consist of a three-week non-stress transition course, as well as on-the-job training. Promotion to CSA and corresponding pay increases would become effective after completion of the transition course. As mentioned, the Department will be sending out a survey to assess how many CSTs and Sr. CSTs are interested in transitioning. This survey is important because it will help determine the number of transition courses needed to accommodate all who are interested. Each transition course will accommodate up to 30 people and will take place over a period of approximately seven (7) months.

Some additional provisions include:

• For CSTs and Sr. CSTs that transition to the CSA classification, vacation pools will remain separate through the end of the 2021 calendar year. A merged vacation pool of the newly integrated CSA classification shall commence for the 2023 vacation selections and shall be based on County seniority.
• The salary upon promotion for CSTs that transition to CSAs will follow the existing MOU language. Sr. CSTs who promote will be placed at Step 12 on the CSA pay grade (A1-52).
• Sr. CSTs who transition to the CSA classification will retain the ability to cash out Annual Leave and/or Vacation Time as outlined within the OCEA Supervisory Management Unit MOU.
• The integrated CSA classification will include administrative assignments into which CSA employees will be eligible to rotate based on staffing and business needs.
• Cross-trained CSA employees who meet the requirements to become TAC Officers will be eligible for rotational assignments in the training division based on staffing and business needs.

You may read the specific Agenda Staff Report here and view related attachments here. Please note that some attachments have revision memos that provide the correct version of the attachment.

We understand that this change may be difficult and that there will inevitably be some bumps in the road. The Sheriff has committed to supporting the success of those who wish to participate in this transition. We again thank CSA Blakely, Sr. CST Robles, CST Salazar, and SSOs Rodriguez and Edwards for bringing forward all of your concerns and for advocating for all OCEA members. We will continue to listen and advocate for you and your co-workers when working with the Sheriff and Command Staff. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact any of us to discuss.

In Solidarity,

Aaron Peardon
Senior Labor Relations Representative

Kate Wolf
Labor Relations Representative

Danielle Chau
Labor Relations Representative

Publication Date: August 6, 2021