OCFA negotiations update, the JPA Board does not value you

Dear OCEA Member,

Your bargaining team met with executive management this afternoon. We were hopeful that we would receive a proposal for a fair contract in recognition of all the work that you have done, especially during the COVID Pandemic. Unfortunately, the Fire Authority’s proposal was one big ZERO! A one-year extension and nothing else. No wage increases, no lump-sum payments, no additional time off, nothing to acknowledge all of the sacrifices that you have made as essential workers.

This comes as the Board approved a $20,000 bonus for the Fire Chief and Executive Managers received a 5.43% increase to the top of their salary ranges! We will not accept an offer that shows this type of disparity and minimizes the very people that make OCFA run.

We will meet again on Oct. 12 and will continue to demonstrate that our requests are not only reasonable but are cost efficient and will not harm the Authority or member agencies. The Board simply needs to recognize and prioritize your value.

In Solidarity,

Your OCFA Bargaining Team

Sami Soto
Rich Swanson
Don Freidline
Brad Stephens
Eric Monroe
Jon Bowden
Kate Wolf
Don Drozd
Aaron Peardon

Publication Date: September 24, 2021