OC San Bargaining Update: A Promising Start with Work Ahead
Dear OCEA member,
On Tuesday, April 8, your OCEA negotiations team met with OC San and received the District’s first counter-proposal. There are encouraging signs in this early stage of negotiations.
The District’s initial wage offer starts in a better place than we’ve seen in previous cycles, and there appears to be some openness to addressing key issues we’ve raised—particularly around equity across units. While nothing is settled, this first exchange reflects more movement than in the past.
At the same time, several proposals central to improving working conditions were rejected, including workplace flexibility and any increases in leave time. These remain priorities for our team, and we will continue to press for meaningful progress on these issues.
The District also shared that they hired consultant Koff & Associates (Gallagher) to conduct a compensation market data refresh of the 2022 compensation study. According to their data, OCEA-represented classifications currently sit at the 81st percentile of the market. As a reminder, the District uses the 75th percentile as its internal benchmark for compensation.
During the initial wage discussion, your OCEA team raised the issue of inflation and cited increases in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) to help justify our wage proposal. However, the District emphasized that their compensation philosophy is centered on market comparisons—and that by targeting the 75th percentile, they believe they are indirectly accounting for CPI trends.
We know that CPI is more than a number—it reflects the real impacts inflation has had on your household budgets. While the District may not see it as a primary driver in their wage approach, your negotiations team will continue to highlight the importance of keeping member wages in line with the rising cost of living.
Our team is closely examining the District’s compensation data and its broader implications, including how differences in retirement plans and total compensation packages affect where our members truly stand in the market.
NEXT STEPS
Your OCEA negotiations team will continue reviewing the proposal and prepare a counter. Our next negotiations session is scheduled for Wednesday, April 23, 2025, when we’ll present our response.
We appreciate your ongoing attention and support. We’re still in the early stages of this process, and your engagement is critical as we work toward a fair agreement. If you have any questions, please reach out to lead negotiator Alisha Greene at agreene@ocea.org.
In Solidarity,
Your OCEA Negotiations Team
Alisha Greene, OCEA Labor Relations Representative
Veronica Rodarte, OCEA Operations Manager
Carlos Rosales, OCEA Lead Organizer
Mickey Whitney, Senior Construction Inspector
Dana Andrews, Senior Construction Inspector
Bobby Martinez, Materials Management Clerk
Christiana Richardson, Administrative Assistant
Dennis Dilliner, Source Control Inspector
David Mallonee, Environmental Technician
Publication Date: April 10, 2025