OCEA Governmental Affairs Update, December 15, 2021
Dear OCEA Member,
The gains working people make at the bargaining table are strengthened by good laws that protect against worker exploitation. Corporations use laws to increase their profits by weakening the rights and safety of their workers. Through political activism, strong unions brought us weekends, overtime pay, worksite safety regulations, and the end of child labor.
Union members must continue to raise their voices to be heard from the worksite to the White House! Below are examples of how your union has been politically active in the past few months to support OCEA members and their families.
Redistricting Update
Every ten years the political district lines are redrawn throughout the United States as a result of the United States Census. Changes in population (due to birth, death, migration, etc.) require every level of government to redraw the political boundaries to ensure proportional representation and a fair and functional democracy! This process impacts the State Legislature, the U.S. House of Representatives, City Council boundaries, and those of special districts.
OCEA understands the importance and significance of this process, which is why we have been monitoring redistricting at every level. The first finalized political boundaries are those of the County Board of Supervisors. The new district boundaries have been approved and are now in effect. You can see the new district boundaries here. You can also read articles about the new County boundaries here and here.
This process will come to cities in Orange County in the coming weeks and months. OCEA will work closely with our community allies to ensure that proposed political boundaries are fair and allow for proper representation. Stay tuned!
Katrina Foley and Doug Chaffee Endorsed for Board of Supervisors
Now that the political boundaries for the County Board of Supervisors are finalized, we know where we need to work to get our OCEA champions reelected to the Board of Supervisors in 2022!
Supervisor Katrina Foley (District 5) has been an OCEA WARRIOR for her entire career. As Councilwoman and Mayor of Costa Mesa, Supervisor Foley led the charge to fight back against the City’s attempt to privatize and outsource our union jobs. Since being elected to the Board of Supervisors in a special election earlier this year, Supervisor Foley has been fighting for OCEA members. She has always made herself been available to OCEA leaders and prides herself on her solidarity with OCEA. Simply put? She is one of us!
Vice Chair Doug Chaffee (District 4) was elected to the Board in 2018 in full partnership with OCEA. Our union worked tirelessly to elect Supervisor Chaffee because we knew he would be a voice for OCEA. Since joining the Board, Vice Chair Chaffee has been instrumental in ensuring OCEA members are treated fairly at the bargaining table. He and his staff (including former OCEA Board members!) have been OCEA strong since the beginning. We can’t wait to re-elect Vice Chair Chaffee!
We respect and understand that every OCEA member has a number of different values they bring into the voting booth. It’s the job of your union to let you know which candidates, initiatives, and causes directly impact your ability to provide for your family. Politicians often make decisions about our contract, our budgets, and our working conditions. Prior to OCEA leaders voting on candidate endorsements, the Board of Directors and staff thoroughly evaluate the candidates and their position on a variety of issues. Then (as you will see) hundreds of volunteers work to elect leaders who support us by walking precincts, calling neighbors, and spreading the word.
If you would like to learn more about how you can help support OCEA’s political position, please email tsteed@ocea.org for more information.
In Solidarity,
Tim Steed
Assistant General Manager
Publication Date: December 15, 2021
