OCEA needs you! Become a workplace leader

Dear OCEA member,

One of every union’s biggest jobs is to build power for its members. That’s how we get fair wages, benefits that protect our families, and a well-earned retirement that allows you to live out your years with a measure of dignity.  Safety, Security, and Stability—together that’s what we fight for on behalf of every OCEA member.

As with any challenge the union faces—a pandemic, a divided electorate, or anti-worker candidates—one of the solutions at OCEA is building power through Stewards serving as workplace leaders. Please consider becoming an OCEA Steward.

I have been a proud member of OCEA since I began working at the Orange County Superior Court in 1992. I became a Steward in 1994. Watching OCEA’s membership grow to 18,000 members has been a distinct privilege for me.

Stewards never stand alone. They often participate in negotiations for collective bargaining agreements and work with OCEA labor representatives to resolve workplace issues. They keep co-workers up-to-date and attend conveniently scheduled meetings in person or virtually.

Our union recently won a major victory electing Costa Mesa Mayor Katrina Foley to the Orange County Board of Supervisor in District 2. We defeated John Moorlach, a longtime adversary of working families. Stewards played a key role in the campaign by phone banking, canvassing, and networking. Stewards can always choose the extent of their personal involvement.

I would like to personally invite you to our next meeting on Thursday, May 20 at Noon or 5:30 p.m. via Zoom to come and see what your union is all about. To learn more or to get meeting info, go to OCEA’s “Get Involved” page by clicking here. You can also click here for a Steward Information sheet and here for a Steward Nomination and Petition form. 

Complete and send your Steward Nomination and Petition form to Sr. Organizer Alisha Greene (agreene@ocea.org) or Lead Organizer Carlos Rosales (crosales@ocea.org). The Steward Nomination Petition needs to be signed by 10 OCEA members (or 10% of the membership if your workplace is less than 10 people).

Becoming a workplace leader and Steward is a highlight of my career at the Superior Court. I think you will be glad you took this important step to become a Steward and we will be glad to have you.

In Solidarity,

Lezlee Neebe
OCEA President

Publication Date: May 17, 2021