OCEA Governmental Affairs Update: March 21, 2022

OCEA member,

We are often told that we should never talk about three things in polite company: religion, money, or politics. Union people discuss money all the time because OCEA members and staff never stop advocating for working families’ economic security. We don’t discuss religion because that’s not our role and we respect each individual’s religious freedom. However, for unions, discussing politics is essential and unavoidable. As the Greek statesman Pericles said, “Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn’t mean politics won’t take an interest in you.”

Politicians make decisions that impact our contracts, our budgets, and our working conditions. We respect and understand that every OCEA member brings their own personal values into the voting booth. The Union’s job is to let members know which candidates, initiatives, and causes have a direct impact on your ability to negotiate fair and equitable contracts. Below are some examples of your union’s political activity this past month to support OCEA members and your families.

Redistricting
Every ten years, political boundaries are redrawn in most political districts. Political redistricting is done in concert with the United States Census and ensures balanced political representation. The redistricting process occurs at different times for different political boundaries.

Redistricting means that voters in Orange County will vote in redrawn congressional, state senate, state assembly, supervisorial and city council districts and potentially for new politicians. For OCEA members to have the best shot at fair contracts we need to educate our co-workers, family, and friends about their new districts and the politicians that will have our backs. To see your new supervisorial district, check out the website below!

Voting District may have changed (OC)!

OCEA Joins the Orange County Labor Movement to Re-elect Foley and Chaffee to the Board of Supervisors!
OCEA represents thousands of workers who are employed by the County of Orange. OCEA members are in every County department and work hand in hand with members of the Board of Supervisors. Having pro-OCEA elected officials on the County Board is critically important for OCEA members employed by the County AND for all workers in Orange County. The Board of Supervisors oversees the management of County government. The Board establishes workplace safety policies and guidelines that impact all County workplaces. Supervisors Foley and Chaffee have been OCEA advocates and public servant champions during their time on the Board. We need to re-elect them on June 7, 2022!

Supervisor Foley is running in District 5.

Supervisor Chaffee is running in District 4.

Click here to volunteer to help re-elect these OCEA Champions!

 

OCEA Legislative Committee and Legislative Positions
Our California state legislature passes laws every day that impact government workers. Some bills support workers, but there are also bills that attack the interests of OCEA members. Our union knows how important laws are to our members. That is why we monitor what is happening in Sacramento through the OCEA Legislative Committee.

OCEA’s Legislative Committee meets monthly in consultation with advocates from Aaron Read & Associates. The committee members are comprised of OCEA Board members and provide frontline worker input on legislation that impacts you, your co-workers, and your families.

They work together with other labor organizations to identify issues and bills that require a response. The committee can take the following positions on proposed legislation:

• Support: This means OCEA is an official supporter of the legislation, and our legislative advocate will work to ensure passage in the state legislature;
• Oppose: This means that OCEA will officially oppose the legislation. This can be because the bill hurts public workers or unions as a whole and OCEA will actively oppose the bill through our advocate; or,
• Watch: This means that our legislative advocate will monitor the bill’s progress and notify OCEA of any changes. The union can then decide to support, oppose, or take no action.

The committee met on Wednesday, March 16. Click here to review the positions taken.

There is no shortage of political actors who wish to see the bargaining and workplace rights of working people reduced or eliminated. That’s why it is critical that unions mobilize voters and guide fellow workers in their political decision-making process. We must always remember that politics will always take an interest in us regardless of whether we take an interest in politics.

In Solidarity,

Tim Steed
OCEA Assistant General Manager

Publication Date: March 21, 2022