OCFA NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE: June 8, 2022

Dear OCEA member,

Your OCEA Negotiations Team met with management representatives on June 2, 2022. This was the first time the negotiations team met since speaking out at the May JPA Board meeting. For over one year, the OCEA Negotiations Team has been meeting with OCFA representatives to secure a fair MOU. The lack of respect from OCFA Management and JPA members has been incredibly disappointing.

At our last bargaining session your team continued to hold the line on the items that are most important to OCEA members. Fair wages and no takeaways. Your team gave a counter proposal that offered a longer contract and wages based on the current increased cost of living in our County. Management responded in a very negative fashion stating they could not afford to give you the wages that we asked for. We know OCFA is in a strong financial position and our proposal is reasonably based on our current environment. The meeting ended with OCFA reluctantly stating they would go back to the Board, but that our proposal would not be received favorably. Again, we implore management to support you⁠—the members that make this agency run.

Our next negotiations session will occur after the June 27 JPA Board meeting. In the meantime, OCEA team members will be coming to a workplace near you to provide additional updates and how you can take action to secure a fair contract.

Ways to Stay Informed:

• Text “OCFIRE” to 43506 to sign up for time-sensitive communication.
• If your co-workers mention not receiving OCEA emails, direct them to ocea.org to opt-in for emails or update their email preferences.

Get Involved:

• Make sure you have a steward in your section!
• Contact us at ocea.org/getinvolved or speak to a current steward to get more involved.

We will keep you informed of updates as we continue to fight for a fair contract.

In Solidarity,

Sami Soto, Fire Communications Supervisor
John Bowden, Assistant Fire Marshal
Don Friedline, Fleet Services Supervisor
Eric Monroe, Heavy Equipment Operator II
Rich Swanson, Fire Prevention Analyst
Aaron Peardon, OCEA Senior Labor Relations Representative
Kate Wolf, OCEA Labor Relations Representative
Don Drozd, OCEA General Counsel
Charles Barfield, OCEA General Manager

Publication Date: June 8, 2022